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Effect of age on long-term heart rate variability
V K Yeragani1, E Sobolewski, J Kay
1Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Dayton, OH 45428, USA.
Cardiovascular Research
|July 1, 1997
Summary
Heart rate variability spectral powers and fractal dimensions significantly decrease with age in healthy individuals. This inverse relationship between age and heart rate variability metrics was observed during both awake and sleep periods.
Area of Science:
- Physiology
- Cardiovascular Health
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Previous research indicates a short-term inverse relationship between age and heart rate variability (HRV) spectral powers.
- Long-term HRV analysis provides deeper insights into age-related cardiovascular changes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between age and long-term HRV in healthy individuals aged 6-61 years.
- To analyze spectral powers and fractal dimensions of HRV across different age groups.
Main Methods:
- Acquired 24-hour Holter ECG recordings from 33 healthy subjects (11 children, 22 adults).
- Applied spectral analysis and fractal dimension calculations to time-series heart rate data.
- Examined HRV metrics during both awake and sleep states.
Main Results:
- Significant negative correlations were found between age and very low frequency (VLF), low frequency (LF), and high frequency (HF) powers.
- Fractal dimensions of heart rate time series also showed a significant decrease with increasing age.
- A positive correlation was observed between age and the LF/HF ratio, indicating autonomic nervous system alterations.
- Ultra-low frequency (ULF) power showed a modest negative correlation with age, specifically during awake periods.
Conclusions:
- Age significantly impacts HRV, leading to decreased VLF, LF, and HF powers and fractal dimensions during both awake and sleep.
- Sleep ULF power is not significantly influenced by age.
- Findings highlight age-related changes in autonomic regulation and cardiovascular health over the lifespan.