The cumulative effect of chronic stress and depressive symptoms affects heart rate in a working population
Erika Lutin1,2, Carmen Schiweck3, Jan Cornelis2
1Electrical Engineering-ESAT, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
Insights
Chronic stress combined with depressive symptoms, not stress alone, blunts heart rate (HR) circadian rhythm. Depressive symptoms, not chronic stress, are linked to reduced HR reactivity to acute stressors.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Psychophysiology
- Stress Research
Background:
- Chronic stress and depressive symptoms are linked to altered heart rate (HR) and reduced HR variability.
- The specific impact of chronic stress versus depression on these cardiovascular changes remains unclear.
- Investigating subclinical cases in a healthy working population can elucidate these mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if chronic stress affects HR circadian rhythm differently based on the presence of depressive symptoms.
- To examine the differential effects of chronic stress and depressive symptoms on HR reactivity to acute stressors.
- To analyze the influence of stress and depressive symptoms on night-time HR variability.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from 516 participants of the SWEET study with 5-day ECG recordings and psychological questionnaires.
- Grouped participants based on Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS) and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) scores.
- Employed linear mixed effect models to analyze HR circadian rhythm, stress reactivity, and night-time HR variability (RMSSD).
Main Results:
- Extreme chronic stress alone minimally increased basal HR but did not alter the HR circadian rhythm.
- The combination of extreme chronic stress and depressive symptoms resulted in a blunted HR circadian rhythm and lower basal HR.
- Blunted HR reactivity to acute stressors was associated with depressive symptoms, independent of chronic stress levels.
- Night-time RMSSD was not significantly affected by chronic stress, depressive symptoms, or their interaction.
Conclusions:
- A blunted HR circadian rhythm is primarily driven by the synergistic effect of chronic stress and depressive symptoms.
- Depressive symptoms, rather than chronic stress itself, are associated with impaired HR reactivity.
- These findings highlight the complex interplay between psychological states and cardiovascular regulation.
Background:
Chronic stress and depressive symptoms have both been linked to increased heart rate (HR) and reduced HR variability. However, up to date, it is not clear whether chronic stress, the mechanisms intrinsic to depression or a combination of both cause these alterations. Subclinical cases may help to answer these questions. In a healthy working population, we aimed to investigate whether the effect of chronic stress on HR circadian rhythm depends on the presence of depressive symptoms and whether chronic stress and depressive symptoms have differential effects on HR reactivity to an acute stressor.
Methods:
1,002 individuals of the SWEET study completed baseline questionnaires, including psychological information, and 5 days of electrocardiogram (ECG) measurements. Complete datasets were available for 516 individuals. In addition, a subset (n = 194) of these participants completed a stress task on a mobile device. Participants were grouped according to their scores for the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS) and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). We explored the resulting groups for differences in HR circadian rhythm and stress reactivity using linear mixed effect models. Additionally, we explored the effect of stress and depressive symptoms on night-time HR variability [root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD)].
Results:
High and extreme stress alone did not alter HR circadian rhythm, apart from a limited increase in basal HR. Yet, if depressive symptoms were present, extreme chronic stress levels did lead to a blunted circadian rhythm and a lower basal HR. Furthermore, blunted stress reactivity was associated with depressive symptoms, but not chronic stress. Night-time RMSSD data was not influenced by chronic stress, depressive symptoms or their interaction.
Conclusion:
The combination of stress and depressive symptoms, but not chronic stress by itself leads to a blunted HR circadian rhythm. Furthermore, blunted HR reactivity is associated with depressive symptoms and not chronic stress.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Psychoneuroimmunology: Cardiovascular Disease
A key area of focus in PNI is the relationship between stress and coronary...
01:30Stress and Mental Health
Individuals with depression often experience challenges in both their personal and professional...
01:20Psychological Responses to Stress
01:27Introduction to Stress and Lifestyle
01:24Physiological Foundation of Stress
Role of the Sympathetic Nervous System
Adrenaline triggers the...
01:30Factors Influencing Heart Rate
Let us explore the significant factors affecting heart rate, including age, body temperature, posture, acute pain, chemical influences,...