Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Regulation of Heart Rates01:31

Regulation of Heart Rates

4.2K
The regulation of heart rate is a complex process controlled by the autonomic nervous system (ANS), hormonal influences, and intrinsic cardiac mechanisms. The ANS has two main components: the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS).
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...
4.2K
Factors Influencing Heart Rate01:30

Factors Influencing Heart Rate

6.9K
The heart rate, or pulse rate, is a vital indicator of cardiovascular health. It reflects the number of times the heart beats per minute. Various physiological and environmental factors influence heart rate, increasing or decreasing cardiac output. Understanding these factors is crucial for assessing heart function and identifying potential health issues.
Let us explore the significant factors affecting heart rate, including age, body temperature, posture, acute pain, chemical influences,...
6.9K
Sympathetic Activation01:16

Sympathetic Activation

7.1K
The sympathetic division can influence tissues and organs by releasing norepinephrine at peripheral synapses and distributing epinephrine and norepinephrine through the bloodstream. In times of crisis or stress, sympathetic activation occurs, which is regulated by sympathetic centers in the hypothalamus. As a result, sympathetic activation prepares the body for physical exertion, rapid ATP production, and heightened alertness, allowing individuals to respond effectively to challenging or...
7.1K
Disorders of the Autonomic Nervous System01:18

Disorders of the Autonomic Nervous System

1.7K
The autonomic nervous system (ANS) is an intricate network of nerves that controls functions such as the regulation of heart rate, digestion, and blood pressure regulation. When this system malfunctions, it can lead to various disorders that affect multiple bodily functions. One common feature of many autonomic disorders is the involvement of smooth blood vessels, which play a crucial role in regulating blood flow throughout the body.
Raynaud's disease, also known as Raynaud's...
1.7K
Regulation of the Cardiovascular System01:27

Regulation of the Cardiovascular System

4.3K
The regulation of the cardiovascular system allows the body to adapt to various demands and maintain homeostasis.
The regulation of the cardiovascular system involves the autonomic nervous system (ANS), baroreceptors, and chemoreceptors, ensuring that heart rate and blood pressure are appropriately modulated in response to varying physiological demands.
The ANS comprises two main divisions: the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. The sympathetic nervous system enhances...
4.3K
Neural Regulation of Blood Pressure01:18

Neural Regulation of Blood Pressure

7.5K
The neural regulation of blood pressure involves intricate interactions between the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and cardiovascular system, ensuring adequate perfusion of tissues. This regulation primarily occurs through baroreceptor and chemoreceptor reflexes, involving both short-term and long-term mechanisms.
Baroreceptor Reflex
Baroreceptors, located in the carotid sinuses and aortic arch, detect changes in blood pressure. When blood pressure rises, these stretch-sensitive receptors...
7.5K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Ankylosing spondylitis and muscle sympathetic nerve activity: a case study.

Journal of applied physiology (Bethesda, Md. : 1985)·2026
Same author

Continuous blood pressure variability within young, healthy adults: a test-retest study to assess relative and absolute reliability.

American journal of physiology. Heart and circulatory physiology·2026
Same author

Rates of Sufficient Sleep Among University Students in the United States from 2000 to 2023.

Sleep·2026
Same author

Project-based learning for aerobic capacity and key components of distance running performance.

Advances in physiology education·2026
Same author

Sleeping on oxidative stress as a mechanism underlying cardiovascular risk in chronic anxiety.

American journal of physiology. Heart and circulatory physiology·2026
Same author

Sleep and circadian predictors of academic performance and retention in STEM pathways: a longitudinal study in university freshmen.

Advances in physiology education·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 21, 2026

Examining Changes in HRV and Emotion Following Artmaking with Three Different Art Materials
06:24

Examining Changes in HRV and Emotion Following Artmaking with Three Different Art Materials

Published on: January 11, 2020

6.8K

Heart Rate Variability Moderates the Association Between Trait Anxiety and Sympathetic Nerve Activity in Humans.

Jeremy A Bigalke1,2,3, Chowdhury Tasnova Tahsin4, Annie T Ginty5

  • 1Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences (J.A.B., J.R.C.), Baylor University, Waco, TX.

Hypertension (Dallas, Tex. : 1979)
|February 20, 2026
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

High trait anxiety links to increased sympathetic nerve activity, especially in those with low heart rate variability (HRV). This suggests HRV may indicate cardiovascular risk in anxious individuals.

Keywords:
anxietyautonomic nervous systemcardiovascular diseasesheart ratehypertension

More Related Videos

Author Spotlight: Exploring the Effects of Transauricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation
04:59

Author Spotlight: Exploring the Effects of Transauricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation

Published on: January 19, 2024

3.8K
Measuring Cardiac Autonomic Nervous System ANS Activity in Toddlers - Resting and Developmental Challenges
08:22

Measuring Cardiac Autonomic Nervous System ANS Activity in Toddlers - Resting and Developmental Challenges

Published on: February 25, 2016

16.0K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Feb 21, 2026

Examining Changes in HRV and Emotion Following Artmaking with Three Different Art Materials
06:24

Examining Changes in HRV and Emotion Following Artmaking with Three Different Art Materials

Published on: January 11, 2020

6.8K
Author Spotlight: Exploring the Effects of Transauricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation
04:59

Author Spotlight: Exploring the Effects of Transauricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation

Published on: January 19, 2024

3.8K
Measuring Cardiac Autonomic Nervous System ANS Activity in Toddlers - Resting and Developmental Challenges
08:22

Measuring Cardiac Autonomic Nervous System ANS Activity in Toddlers - Resting and Developmental Challenges

Published on: February 25, 2016

16.0K

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Psychophysiology
  • Hypertension Research

Background:

  • Chronic anxiety is a risk factor for hypertension, but underlying mechanisms are unclear.
  • Trait anxiety correlates with muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA), a contributor to hypertension.
  • Cardiac vagal activity, assessed by heart rate variability (HRV), may influence this relationship.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate if HRV moderates the association between trait anxiety, MSNA, and blood pressure.
  • To explore the interplay between psychological stress, autonomic function, and cardiovascular health.

Main Methods:

  • 130 adults (25±8 years) underwent measurements of resting blood pressure, MSNA via microneurography, and heart rate via ECG.
  • Moderation analyses examined the role of HRV in the anxiety-MSNA-blood pressure relationship.

Main Results:

  • The link between trait anxiety and MSNA was significantly stronger in individuals with lower HRV.
  • This anxiety-MSNA association was weaker with average HRV and non-existent with high HRV.
  • HRV did not moderate the association between trait anxiety and blood pressure.

Conclusions:

  • Elevated trait anxiety is linked to increased sympathetic activity and blood pressure.
  • The association between anxiety and sympathetic nerve activity is pronounced in individuals with low HRV.
  • HRV may serve as a cardiovascular risk biomarker for individuals experiencing heightened anxiety.