Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 6, 2025
Integration of Brain Tissue Saturation Monitoring in Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing in Patients with Heart Failure
Published on: October 1, 2019
Orthostatic blood pressure reactions and resting heart rate in relation to lung function - the Swedish
Andreas Casselbrant1,2, Christian Zambach3,4, Artur Fedorowski3,5
1Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden. andreas.casselbrant@med.lu.se.
Background:
There is a well-known comorbidity between chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and coronary artery disease (CAD) which is only partially explained by common risk factors. Markers of cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction (CVAD), such as orthostatic hypotension and increased resting heart rate, are strongly associated with CAD. The autonomic nervous system also innervates the airways, and several studies have shown an association between autonomic dysfunction and COPD. However, less is known about whether CVAD and impairment of respiratory capacity are related in the population. We thus aimed to assess the relationship between markers of subtle CVAD and lung function in middle-aged subjects.
Methods:
In this cross-sectional study, we analysed data from CVAD assessment (orthostatic blood pressure and heart rate measurements) and pulmonary function tests from 5886 individuals from the Swedish CArdioPulmonary bioImage Study (SCAPIS). Subjects were middle aged and randomly selected from the Swedish population. Linear regression models and ANOVA analyses were used to relate orthostatic blood pressure and resting heart rate to lung function parameters (forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), FEV1/FVC-ratio, diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO), respiratory resistance at 5 Hz (R5), respiratory resistance at 20 Hz (R20), decrease in resistance from R5 to R20 (R5-R20), reactance in distal airways (X5), resonant frequency (Fres) and reactance area (AX)).
Results:
Increasing systolic orthostatic blood pressure, decreasing diastolic orthostatic blood pressure, and increased resting heart rate associated with lower FVC (all p < 0.001) and FEV1 (p = 0.001; p = 0.005; p < 0.001, respectively) in models including age, sex and height. Apart from diastolic orthostatic blood pressure and FEV1, all relationships remained significant after adjustment for possible confounders. Increased resting heart rate was associated with reduced DLCO (p < 0.001).
Conclusions:
Increasing systolic orthostatic blood pressure, decreasing diastolic orthostatic blood pressure, and increased resting heart rate are associated with lower lung function, after adjustments for age, sex and height. These finding indicates associations between signs of cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction and lower lung function in the general population. However, the observed differences in lung function were small and the clinical application is unclear.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Factors Affecting Respiration
01:17Measurement of Blood Pressure
01:26Exercise Stress Test
Exercise stress testing, commonly known as a treadmill test, is a noninvasive procedure used to evaluate cardiovascular function and diagnose heart conditions.
Definition
An exercise stress test measures the heart's response to exertion using a treadmill or stationary bicycle. Chest electrodes record the heart's electrical activity through an ECG, and blood pressure is monitored regularly.
Purposes
01:30Factors Influencing Heart Rate
Let us explore the significant factors affecting heart rate, including age, body temperature, posture, acute pain, chemical influences,...
01:19Cardiac Output I:Effect of Heart Rate on Cardiac Output
Cardiac output (CO) refers to the total amount of blood ejected by one of the ventricles in liters per minute (L/min). In a resting adult, CO ranges from 5 to 6 L/min, adjusting according to the body's metabolic requirements.
Effect of Heart Rate on Cardiac Output
Cardiac output adapts to metabolic demands during stress, physical activity, or illness. The autonomic nervous system regulates heart rate via the sinoatrial node. The parasympathetic nervous system decreases heart...
01:20Exercise and Cardiovascular Response
Light to moderate physical activity initiates a series of interconnected responses in the body. The heart rate modestly increases in anticipation of the workout, followed by widespread vasodilation as oxygen consumption by skeletal muscles increases. This results in decreased peripheral resistance, increased capillary blood flow, and accelerated...