Association between autonomic dysfunction and arterial stiffness in hypertensive patients

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Autonomic Nervous System Function
• Vascular Health

Background:

• Heart rate variability (HRV) serves as a key indicator of autonomic nervous system (ANS) function.
• Arterial stiffness is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular events.
• The relationship between HRV and arterial stiffness in hypertensive individuals requires further elucidation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between HRV, specifically the standard deviation of normal-to-normal intervals (SDNN), and arterial stiffness, measured by brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV).
• To explore this relationship in a cohort of essential hypertension patients.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective study involving 1,132 essential hypertension patients.
• Assessment of autonomic function using SDNN (an HRV indicator).
• Measurement of arterial stiffness via baPWV, with patients stratified by SDNN tertiles.

Main Results:

• Lower SDNN tertiles were associated with older age, higher triglycerides, and elevated fasting blood glucose.
• Multivariate regression confirmed an independent negative correlation between SDNN and baPWV (β=-3.60).
• Logistic regression showed a negative relationship between SDNN and elevated baPWV (OR=0.97), with a significant non-linear association (P<0.001).
• Stronger associations were noted in patients under 65 years (P for interaction < 0.05).

Conclusions:

• Reduced SDNN is independently and negatively associated with arterial stiffness (baPWV) in hypertensive patients.
• This association is particularly pronounced in hypertensive individuals younger than 65 years.
• Findings suggest a link between autonomic nervous system dysfunction and arterial stiffness in hypertension.