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Associations between different heart rate variability ratios and cardiometabolic risk factors in young adults
Abel Plaza-Florido1, Jerzy Sacha2,3, Juan M A Alcantara1
1PROFITH "PROmoting FITness and Health Through Physical Activity" Research Group, Sport and Health University Research Institute (iMUDS), Department of Physical and Sports Education, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Granada, Granada, Spain.
Insights
Heart rate variability (HRV) ratios, including the low frequency-to-high frequency (LF/HF) and sympathetic:parasympathetic (S:PS) ratios, are linked to cardiovascular disease risk factors in young adults, particularly women.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Physiology
- Metabolic Health
Background:
- Cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors often emerge in young adulthood.
- Heart rate variability (HRV) is a non-invasive measure reflecting autonomic nervous system activity.
- Specific HRV ratios may indicate underlying metabolic and cardiovascular risks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between two HRV ratios and CVD risk factors in young adults.
- To explore potential sex-specific differences in these associations.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study of 132 young adults (89 women).
- Assessment of HRV, calculating low frequency-to-high frequency (LF/HF) ratio and sympathetic:parasympathetic (S:PS) ratio.
- Analysis of blood markers including lipids, glucose, insulin, and HOMA index for insulin resistance.
Main Results:
- Both LF/HF and S:PS ratios showed positive associations with glucose and insulin levels (HOMA index).
- These HRV ratios were negatively associated with HDL-C in women, but not in men.
- The findings suggest similar associations for both HRV ratios with CVD risk factors in young women.
Conclusions:
- The LF/HF and S:PS ratios are similarly associated with key cardiovascular disease risk factors in young women.
- These HRV metrics may serve as indicators for metabolic health and CVD risk in this demographic.
- Further research could explore the predictive value of these HRV ratios for future cardiovascular events.
Aims:
To study the association of two different heart rate variability (HRV) ratios with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in young adults.
Method:
A total of 132 participants (89 women) were included in this cross-sectional study. We assessed their HRV and computed the low frequency-to-high frequency ratio (LF/HF) and, from the Poincaré plot, the ratio of the inverse of the longitudinal (SD2) to the transversal (SD1) axes ([1000/SD2]/SD1; sympathetic: parasympathetic [S:PS] ratio). From blood samples, we determined total cholesterol, high-density (HDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, insulin, and the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA) index. Multiple linear regression models were adjusted for age.
Results:
Both, the LF/HF and the S:PS ratios, were positively associated with glucose metabolism markers (glucose, insulin, HOMA index), and negatively associated with HDL-C in women but not in men.
Conclusion:
We showed that the LF/HF and the S:PS are associated similarly with CVD risk factors in young women.
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