A pilot study investigating the relationship between heart rate variability and blood pressure in young adults at risk for cardiovascular disease

Abstract

Background Cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of death globally with hypertension being a primary cause of premature death from this disease process. Individuals with a family history of cardiovascular disease and hypertension are at a greater risk for developing the same sequela. Autonomic cardiac control is important in the level of cardiac function. One intervention that is effective in improving cardiovascular function is heart rate variability biofeedback training. The purpose of our study was to determine the effectiveness of heart rate biofeedback training on HRV and blood pressure in individuals with a family history of cardiovascular disease. Methods Thirty-four participants (76.5% female, 22.7 ± 4.3 years) completed a baseline assessment and training using an established short-term HRV protocol followed by two weeks of at-home paced breathing employing a smartphone application. The participants were then reassessed in a biofeedback clinic. Results The participants physiological measures showed a significant increase in means between pre and post intervention of SDNN (t (32) = 2.177, p =.037) and TP, (t (32) = 2.327 p = .026). Correlation noted a medium effect on diastolic blood pressure and high frequency heart rate variability, F, r = .41, n =33, p < .05. A multiple regression with all predictor variables in the model found no significance with diastolic and systolic blood pressure. Conclusions The findings from this pilot study demonstrated that a two-week paced breathing intervention may assist in reducing heart rate and diastolic blood pressure while improving heart rate variability.

Acute nasal breathing lowers diastolic blood pressure and increases parasympathetic contributions to heart rate variability in young adults

“…We interpret the acute median reduction in diastolic BP of 4 mmHg as a modest benefit of potential clinical importance. As for the mechanisms leading to the reduction in BP observed with nasal breathing, we posited that this could be associated with the observed increases in HF contribution to HRV because previous work has linked a higher HF contribution to HRV with lower diastolic BP ( 91 , 92 ). However, we did not find any significant correlations between changes in BP and any HRV metric (see Resting Heart Rate and HRV ).…”

Comparison of Heart Rate Variability in Thai Older Adults with Hypertension, Pre-Hypertension, and Normotension

“…Moreover, SBP had a negative correlation with SDNN, RMSSD, and HF power exclusively among female patients with uncomplicated arterial HT. However, a decrease in DBP was linked to increased SDNN [ 9 ], RMSSD, LF power, and HF power in both genders [ 29 ]. Given that women showed a higher vagal activity index in HRV compared with men [ 30 ], the impact of sex differences on baroreceptor reflex sensitivity and HRV should be acknowledged.…”

“…Moreover, the ANS interacts with the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, leading to activation that exerts a vasopressor efect, increasing BP by activating the sympathetic nervous system, inhibiting the parasympathetic nervous system, and decreasing barorefex sensitivity [7,8]. Impairments in the ANS have been associated with dysfunctional and structural alterations in target organs, increasing the development of various cardiovascular events [6,7,[9][10][11][12][13].…”

Heart Rate Variability Measurement through a Smart Wearable Device: Another Breakthrough for Personal Health Monitoring?

“…Some newer wearable devices are equipped with blood pressure monitoring functions, which could be a powerful tool in further examining the correlation between HRV and blood pressure and in developing better early prevention and treatment tools for hypertension. In a pilot study, smartphone camera-based HRV biofeedback training in a two-week, paced breathing intervention helped reduce heart rate and diastolic blood pressure and improve HRV in individuals with a family history of cardiovascular disease [88].…”