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Relationship between heart rate variability and hypercholesterolaemia
S Danev1, R Nikolova, M Kerekovska
1Research Laboratory of Functional State Assessment, National Center of Hygiene, Sofia, Bulgaria.
Insights
Chronic distress, measured by heart rate variability (HRV), correlates with higher serum lipid levels. Monitoring HRV and lipids may predict cardiovascular risk and lipid metabolism disorders.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Metabolic Health
- Psychophysiology
Background:
- Chronic distress is linked to cardiovascular issues.
- Heart rate variability (HRV) reflects autonomic nervous system activity and stress.
- Hypercholesterolaemia is a known risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the correlation between chronic distress (HRV) and serum lipid levels.
- To identify predictors of HRV depression in relation to lipid profiles.
- To assess the impact of a dietary intervention on HRV and serum lipids.
Main Methods:
- Comparison of HRV measurements between hypercholesterolaemic and normocholesterolaemic subjects.
- Statistical analysis to identify significant predictors of HRV depression.
- Evaluation of a 3-month special diet's effect on serum lipids and HRV.
Main Results:
- A significant correlation was found between chronic distress (depressed HRV) and increased serum lipid levels.
- Total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were significant predictors of HRV depression.
- A 3-month diet decreased serum lipids but did not substantially alter HRV parameters.
Conclusions:
- HRV parameters reflecting stress are correlated with atherogenic serum lipids.
- Separate monitoring of HRV and serum lipids can predict cardiovascular health risk.
- These parameters may also aid in predicting disorders of serum lipid metabolism.
Abstract:
A statistically significant correlation between chronic (tonic) distress (expressed by long-term depression of heart rate variability-HRV) and the increase of the serum lipid level was found in the experimental group (39 clinically healthy subjects with hypercholesterolaemia; 16 women and 23 men; mean age 42.4 +/- 2.45 years). A statistically significant relationship was found also between the experimental and control group (39 healthy normocholesterolaemic subjects; 18 women and 21 men; mean age 43.7 +/- 2.18 years) when comparing distress indicating HRV-based measurements. Significant predictors of HRV depression were: total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. The effect of a 3-month special diet served to 17 subjects selected from the experimental group led to a decrease of serum lipids but did not influence substantially HRV parameters. It can be concluded that HRV parameters reflecting stress reaction correlate with atherogenic serum lipids; their separate follow-up (which is quicker, easier and cheaper) can be used for prediction of cardiovascular health risk and probably for disorders in serum lipid metabolism.