Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 17, 2026
Calculating Heart Rate Variability from ECG Data from Youth with Cerebral Palsy During Active Video Game Sessions
Published on: June 5, 2019
The heart rate variability changes in measles, HIV, and SARS-CoV-2 infections; a subtle autonomic involvement - a
Ilinca Savulescu-Fiedler1, Teodora Deaconu2, Roxana Siliste1
1MD, PhD, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474, Bucharest, and Department of Internal Medicine, Coltea Clinical Hospital, Bucharest, 030167, Romania.
Introduction:
Inflammation may induce dysautonomia, which is revealed by the decrease in heart rate variability (HRV) parameters. Our pilot study compares changes in HRV and the association between HRV and inflammatory markers in three RNA viral infections: acute (SARS-CoV-2, measles) and chronic (HIV).
Methods:
We evaluated 25 patients with viral infections and 8 control patients without viral disease, with similar mean age and comorbidities. Patients with measles and COVID-19 were hospitalized for mild to moderate respiratory symptoms, while those with HIV were assessed during follow-up visits. HRV parameters were assessed in time and spectral domains, under standardized conditions.
Results:
Significant differences were identified between patients with measles and COVID-19 regarding SDNN (p=0.016), rMSSD (p=0.002), and between patients with COVID-19 and HIV, both for SDNN (p=0.029) and rMSSD (p=0.017). SDNN and rMSSD had the highest value in the COVID-19 group and the lowest value (lower than in the control group) in patients with HIV and measles. All frequency-domain parameters reached their highest values in patients with COVID-19, whereas they were consistently lower in those with HIV and measles. A significant correlation of LF/HF ratio with serum fibrinogen was observed only in patients with measles and HIV infection (r=0.793, p=0.011, respectively r=0.955, p<0.001).
Conclusions:
Our study showed a significant decrease in HRV parameters in patients with measles and HIV, with a more stable autonomic response in mild-moderate COVID-19 forms. A correlation between inflammation and markers of sympathetic dominance was found in patients with measles and HIV but not in COVID-19. Further studies may assess the relation between inflammation in viral infections and subtle changes in HRV parameters.
More Related Videos
05:48Autonomic Function Following Concussion in Youth Athletes: An Exploration of Heart Rate Variability Using 24-hour Recording Methodology
Published on: September 21, 2018
06:24Examining Changes in HRV and Emotion Following Artmaking with Three Different Art Materials
Published on: January 11, 2020
Related Concept Videos
01:30Factors Influencing Heart Rate
Let us explore the significant factors affecting heart rate, including age, body temperature, posture, acute pain, chemical influences,...
01:31Regulation of Heart Rates
The SNS increases heart rate through the release of norepinephrine and epinephrine, which act on beta-1 adrenergic receptors in the heart. This action increases the rate of depolarization in the sinoatrial (SA) node, the heart's...
01:27Myocarditis II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests
01:20Regulation of Pulse
01:29Dysrhythmias III: Characteristics of Dysrhythmias
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...