Psychoneuroimmunological aspects of cardiovascular diseases: a preliminary report
Dagmara Bartczak1, Łukasz Szymański1, Paweł Bodera1
1Military Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Warsaw, Poland.
Insights
Cardiovascular disease patients exhibit reduced autonomic nervous system activity, impacting mood and quality of life. This highlights the link between heart health, nervous system function, and overall well-being.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular medicine
- Psychoneuroimmunology
- Autonomic nervous system research
Background:
- Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are prevalent 'civilization diseases' linked to mood disorders and cognitive impairment.
- Understanding the psychoneuroimmunological underpinnings of CVDs is crucial for comprehensive patient care.
Observation:
- This study investigated psychoneuroimmunological aspects in patients with primary hypertension and heart rate disturbances.
- Participants underwent 24-hour ECG monitoring (Holter method) for heart rate variability (HRV) analysis and neuropsychological assessments.
Findings:
- Cardiovascular disease patients showed significantly reduced time and frequency domain HRV parameters.
- Impaired autonomic nervous system modulation was associated with decreased quality of life and mood disturbances.
- In heart rhythm disorder patients, sympathetic nervous system overactivity correlated with prolonged tension and altered immune responses.
Implications:
- Reduced autonomic nervous system activity in CVD patients negatively affects mood and quality of life.
- Targeting autonomic nervous system modulation may offer novel therapeutic strategies for cardiovascular and mental health.
- Psychoneuroimmunological assessment is vital for a holistic approach to managing cardiovascular diseases.
Aim Of The Study:
Due to their prevalence and negative social effects, cardiovascular diseases belong to a group of civilization diseases. Previous research suggests comorbidity of heart diseases, mood disorders and impaired cognitive functioning. The aim of this study was to evaluate the psychoneuroimmunological aspects of functioning in patients diagnosed with cardiovascular diseases.
Material And Methods:
Ten persons, mean age 48.2 years old, diagnosed with primary hypertension, were studied. All of them were treated with beta blockers and ACE inhibitors with unsuccessful therapeutic effect. This group also included 4 subjects with heart rate disturbances. The control group included 10 clinically healthy volunteers in mean age 46.8. All participants had 24-hour ECG monitoring with Holter method in order to evaluate the autonomic activity with time and frequency domain analysis (heart rate variability). Patients also underwent neuropsychological assessment of quality of life and personality traits (EQ-5D, NEO-PI-R, PSS10, SWLS, MHLC). Quantitative evaluation of immune system parameters included: TCD3, TCD4, CD8, CD16/CD56, CD19, HLA-DR+.
Results:
The cardiovascular disease group showed significantly lower time and frequency domain parameters (p < 0.05) except low/high frequency (LF/HF) power ratio. The heart rhythm disorder group demonstrated significant relationships such as: Quality of life with Total Power of HRV and day-time LF/HF ratio, pNN50 and rMSSD - negative correlation.
Conclusions:
1. In cardiovascular disease patients, activity of the autonomic nervous system is significantly reduced. 2. Impaired modulation of the autonomic nervous system activity affects mood and decreases quality of life. 3. In patients with heart rhythm disturbances, increased sympathetic nervous system activity affects prolonged tension and the immune response.
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