Association between arterial stiffness and autonomic dysfunction in participants underwent treadmill exercise...

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Physiology
• Autonomic Nervous System Function

Background:

• Limited data exists on arterial stiffness's impact on autonomic function.
• Heart rate recovery (HRR) is a recognized predictor of autonomic function.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate if increased arterial stiffness impairs HRR.
• To explore the relationship between arterial stiffness and autonomic function.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 475 participants undergoing treadmill exercise tests (TET).
• Measurement of brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) to assess arterial stiffness.
• Calculation of HRR as heart rate difference from maximal exercise to 1 minute post-exercise.

Main Results:

• A significant negative correlation was found between baPWV and HRR (r = -0.327, P < 0.001).
• Multiple linear regression confirmed an association between baPWV and HRR after adjusting for confounders (β = -0.181, P < 0.001).
• Participants with lower HRR were older and had more cardiovascular risk factors.

Conclusions:

• Arterial stiffness is negatively correlated with heart rate recovery.
• Findings suggest a potential link between arterial stiffness and autonomic nervous system dysfunction.