Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 15, 2026
Autonomic Function Following Concussion in Youth Athletes: An Exploration of Heart Rate Variability Using 24-hour Recording Methodology
Published on: September 21, 2018
Short-term heart rate variability and factors modifying the risk of coronary artery disease in a population sample
M Kupari1, J Virolainen, P Koskinen
1Division of Cardiology (First Department of Medicine), Helsinki University Central Hospital, Finland.
Insights
Heart rate variability, a marker of cardiac health, is inversely related to LDL cholesterol and smoking. In women, alcohol consumption positively impacts heart rate variability metrics.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Preventive Medicine
- Biostatistics
Background:
- Heart rate (HR) variability is often impaired in chronic coronary artery disease (CAD).
- The precise mechanisms linking HR variability to CAD risk factors remain incompletely understood.
- Investigating these relationships can inform preventive strategies for cardiovascular health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if common CAD risk factors influence short-term HR variability.
- To identify specific risk factors associated with altered autonomic nervous system function reflected in HR variability.
- To explore potential sex-specific differences in these associations.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of a cohort of 88 healthy subjects (41 men, 47 women) aged 29 years.
- Quantification of lifestyle factors including physical activity, alcohol consumption, and smoking via 2-month diaries.
- Measurement of serum lipids (including LDL cholesterol) and insulin.
- Assessment of HR variability using power spectral analysis and root-mean-square difference of RR intervals at rest.
- Statistical analysis using multiple regression on log-transformed data adjusted for mean HR.
Main Results:
- Independent inverse relationships were observed between HR variability indexes (root-mean-square RR difference, total RR-interval power) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol.
- Smoking showed an independent inverse association with total RR-interval power.
- In women, alcohol consumption demonstrated a direct relationship with HR variability metrics (RR-interval root-mean-square difference, total power, and high-frequency power).
Conclusions:
- Short-term heart rate variability is inversely associated with LDL cholesterol and smoking in the general population.
- Alcohol consumption is positively associated with heart rate variability in women.
- These findings highlight modifiable risk factors impacting autonomic function relevant to cardiovascular health.
Abstract:
Heart rate (HR) variability is impaired in chronic coronary artery disease (CAD), but the mechanism is not fully resolved. This study was aimed at assessing whether HR variability is influenced by the risk factors of CAD. Of a random sample of 120 subjects born in 1954, 88 (41 men and 47 women) could be included in the analyses. No subject had clinical heart disease. The subjects' physical activity, alcohol consumption and smoking were quantified by 2-month diary follow-up. Serum lipids and insulin were measured. The tests of HR variability included power spectral analysis and calculation of the root-mean-square difference of RR intervals at rest under controlled respiration. HR variability indexes were asymmetrically distributed and strongly HR-dependent, and therefore, all statistical tests were performed on log-transformed data adjusted to the population mean HR. Multiple regression analyses showed independent inverse relations between the root-mean-square RR difference and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (beta = -0.22; p = 0.008), and between the total RR-interval power and LDL cholesterol (beta = -0.25; p = 0.007), as well as smoking (beta = -0.19; p = 0.035). In women, alcohol use influenced the RR-interval root-mean-square difference (beta = 0.31; p = 0.015), total power (beta = 0.33; p = 0.017) and high-frequency power (beta = 0.26; p = 0.056). It is concluded that short-term HR variability is related inversely to LDL cholesterol and smoking in the population, and directly to alcohol use in women.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
More Related Videos
08:12Calculating Heart Rate Variability from ECG Data from Youth with Cerebral Palsy During Active Video Game Sessions
Published on: June 5, 2019
06:04Pulse-Wave Velocity, Flow-Mediated Dilation, and Carotid Intima-Media Thickness to Assess Cardiovascular Risk in Population with Metabolic Syndrome
Published on: September 27, 2024
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,...
01:28Factors affecting Blood pressure
Physiological Factors:
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...
01:30Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction
01:30Coronary Artery Disease III: Clinical Manifestations
01:26Coronary Artery Disease IV: Preventive Measures