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Heart rate and extrasystolic arrhythmias in active subjects aged over 90. A chronobiological study
Insights
Even in individuals aged 90 and above, a daily circadian rhythm for heart rate (HR) persists, similar to younger populations. This study also observed rhythms in atrial premature beats (APB) and ventricular premature beats (VPB) in this elderly cohort.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Chronobiology
- Gerontology
Background:
- Circadian rhythms influence physiological processes, including cardiovascular function.
- Previous research established circadian rhythms in heart rate (HR) and premature beats in younger adults.
- The presence of these rhythms in the very elderly (90+ years) remains less understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the circadian rhythm of heart rate (HR).
- To analyze the circadian patterns of simple atrial premature beats (APB) and ventricular premature beats (VPB).
- To assess these rhythms in individuals aged 90 years and older.
Main Methods:
- Dynamic electrocardiogram (ECG) recordings over 24 hours were performed on 18 subjects (mean age 92.3 years).
- Manual data collection of hourly mean HR and counts of APB and VPB.
- Statistical analysis using single and population cosinor methods to detect significant rhythms.
Main Results:
- A significant circadian rhythm for HR was detected in 14 out of 18 subjects and in the group.
- Circadian rhythms for APB were found in 9 out of 15 subjects, and for VPB in 5 out of 15 subjects.
- No significant correlations were found between HR and premature beats.
Conclusions:
- The circadian rhythm of heart rate is maintained even in very old individuals (90+ years).
- Circadian variations in premature beats (APB and VPB) can also be present in the very elderly.
- These findings suggest preserved cardiovascular rhythmicity in advanced age.
Abstract:
We analyzed the circadian rhythm of heart rate (HR), of simple atrial premature beats (APB) and of simple ventricular premature beats (VPB) in very old subjects undergoing dynamic ECG for 24 h. The 18 subjects under study (11 women and 7 men) were aged 90 or more (mean +/- SD 92.3 +/- 2.3, range 90-98), did not complain of acute cardiac pathologies, were not taking any medication and were synchronized as to time schedules. The mean duration of DECG recording was of 23 h and 54 min. The collection of data concerning the hourly mean of HR (6 ten-sec samples taken every 10 min) and of the number/hour of APB and VPB was carried out manually. A significant rhythm (single cosinor) was detected for heart rate in 14 subjects out of 18 and in the group (population cosinor); it was also detected for APB (9 subjects out of 15) and for VPB (5 subjects out of 15) also by the single cosinor. It was not detected for the group (population cosinor). No significant correlations, either direct or inverted, were revealed between HR and premature beats. We demonstrate therefore that, even in very old subjects, the circadian rhythm of HR still exists as in younger subjects.