Epidemiological evidence of altered cardiac autonomic function in overweight but not underweight subjects

Abstract

Background:Little is known about the altered cardiac autonomic function (CAF) across different levels of body mass index (BMI), including underweight, normal weight, overweight and obesity. This study provides a thorough analysis to clarify the CAF change in subjects with underweight, overweight and obesity. Methods: According to the World Health Organization (WHO) Asia-Pacific BMI cutoffs, a total of 1437 participants were classified as underweight (n ¼ 74), normal weight (n ¼ 588), overweight (n ¼ 313), obesity I (n ¼ 390) and obesity II (n ¼ 72). CAF was determined by standard deviation of normal-to-normal (SDNN) intervals or RR intervals, power spectrum in low (LF) and high frequency (HF) (LF, 0.04-0.15 Hz; HF, 0.15-0.40 Hz), and LF/HF ratio at supine for 5 min, the ratio between the 30th and the 15th RR interval after standing from the supine position (30/15 ratio) and the average heart-rate change while taking six deep breaths in 1 min (HR DB ). Results: There were significant differences in age, gender, socioeconomic status, blood pressure, HOMA insulin resistance index, fasting glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride and high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-C, and the prevalence of hypertension, ischemic/left bundle branch block (LBBB) electrocardiography (EKG) pattern, current smoking and alcohol use among subjects with underweight, normal weight, overweight, obesity I and II. Univariate analysis showed that SDNN, HR DB , HF power and the square root of the LF/HF ratio differed among these five groups. Multivariate analysis showed that obesity I and II were inverse correlates of HR DB and HF power. Overweight, obesity I and II were positively associated with the square root of the LF/HF ratio. No BMI status was related to SDNN, 30/15 ratio or LF power. Underweight was not the independent correlate of any CAF indices. Conclusions: The risk for altered CAF is significant in overweight and obese subjects, independent of cardiovascular risk factors. Underweight is not apparently associated with CAF change.

Association between Anxiety Disorders and Heart Rate Variability in The Netherlands Study of Depression and Anxiety (NESDA)

“…In our study, females had a significantly higher HR and RSA, but lower SDNN compared with males, which is in accordance with earlier findings (50 -52). Although several papers have been published on HRV and obesity, few studies have addressed the relationship between HRV and continuous BMI, and findings have been inconsistent (50,(53)(54)(55). In line with Kageyama et al (55) and Britton et al (53), we found that an increase in BMI was significantly associated with an increase in HR and a decrease in SDNN, but the effect of BMI on RSA was not significant.…”

Heart rate variability is reduced in underweight and overweight healthy adult women

“…In his epidemiological survey, Wu et al . () disclosed no significant differences in any index of HRV between NW and UW subjects, thus indicating that the sympathovagal modulation of HR in UW subjects did not seem apparently reduced. Krishna et al .…”

“…The relationship between HRV and BMI was investigated by Wu et al . () who found HRV reduction in obese subjects, compared to normal weight (NW) subjects, whereas no differences were evidenced between UW and NW subjects. However, these authors did not address any comparison between UW and obese subjects.…”

Heart rate variability in major depressive disorder and after antidepressant treatment with agomelatine and paroxetine: Findings from the Taiwan Study of Depression and Anxiety (TAISDA)

“…Previous findings have revealed that gender, age, body mass index (BMI), physical activity, and alcohol use are among the factors significantly affecting the autonomic control of heart rate (Antelmi et al, 2004;Chen et al, 2015;Kuo et al, 1999;Rosenwinkel et al, 2001;Wu et al, 2008). These factors were thus selected as control variables.…”