The cumulative effect of chronic stress and depressive symptoms affects heart rate in a working population

Abstract

BackgroundChronic stress and depressive symptoms have both been linked to increased heart rate (HR) and reduced HR variability. However, up to date, it is not clear whether chronic stress, the mechanisms intrinsic to depression or a combination of both cause these alterations. Subclinical cases may help to answer these questions. In a healthy working population, we aimed to investigate whether the effect of chronic stress on HR circadian rhythm depends on the presence of depressive symptoms and whether chronic stress and depressive symptoms have differential effects on HR reactivity to an acute stressor.Methods1,002 individuals of the SWEET study completed baseline questionnaires, including psychological information, and 5 days of electrocardiogram (ECG) measurements. Complete datasets were available for 516 individuals. In addition, a subset (n = 194) of these participants completed a stress task on a mobile device. Participants were grouped according to their scores for the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS) and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). We explored the resulting groups for differences in HR circadian rhythm and stress reactivity using linear mixed effect models. Additionally, we explored the effect of stress and depressive symptoms on night-time HR variability [root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD)].ResultsHigh and extreme stress alone did not alter HR circadian rhythm, apart from a limited increase in basal HR. Yet, if depressive symptoms were present, extreme chronic stress levels did lead to a blunted circadian rhythm and a lower basal HR. Furthermore, blunted stress reactivity was associated with depressive symptoms, but not chronic stress. Night-time RMSSD data was not influenced by chronic stress, depressive symptoms or their interaction.ConclusionThe combination of stress and depressive symptoms, but not chronic stress by itself leads to a blunted HR circadian rhythm. Furthermore, blunted HR reactivity is associated with depressive symptoms and not chronic stress.

Stress‐related fluctuations in personality functioning in daily life: Pilot data from an ambulatory monitoring study in outpatients diagnosed with borderline personality disorder

“…This wearable was also developed by IMEC and referred to as ‘chillband’. The reliability and validity of the chillband to detect stress in daily life were demonstrated in a large‐scale ambulatory monitoring study in a healthy sample ( N = 1002) (Lutin et al, 2022; Smets et al, 2018).…”

“…HFHRV was monitored using an ECG device applied to the chest, developed by the Interuniversity MicroElectronics Center (IMEC) and referred to as ‘health patch’. The reliability and validity of the health patch to detect stress in daily life was demonstrated in a large‐scale ambulatory monitoring study in a healthy sample ( N = 1002) (Lutin et al, 2022; Smets et al, 2018).…”

“…It is recommended to record SC in the laboratory, on the palm of the hand or fingers and with Ag/AgCl electrodes filled with isotonic gel (Boucsein, 2012). Previous ambulatory monitoring studies have suggested that wrist‐worn sensors provide a reliable and valid alternative (Lutin et al, 2022; Ollander et al, 2016; Smets et al, 2018). Reference values for ambulatory monitoring of SCL and NS.SCR were not available.…”

The Two Fundamental Shapes of Sleep Heart Rate Dynamics and Their Connection to Mental Health in College Students

“…Most studies on mental health and sleep focus on perceived sleep quality [ 33 ], sleep duration [ 34 – 37 ], HRV [ 16 , 38 ], or descriptive statistics (mean or minimum) of the heart rate [ 39 – 42 ]. Published studies on the relationship between the shape of the heart rate curve and mental health have focused on its periodicity in the context of daily circadian rhythms [ 43 – 46 ] or its shape for daytime and nighttime [ 47 ] but not on how heart rate changes during the sleep period itself.…”

The two fundamental shapes of sleep heart rate dynamics and their connection to mental health

“…Most studies on mental health and sleep focus on perceived sleep quality [33] and the common sleep metrics described above, such as sleep duration [34][35][36][37], heart rate variability [16,38], or descriptive statistics (mean or minimum) of the heart rate [39][40][41][42]. Published studies on the relationship between the shape of the heart rate curve and mental health have focused on its periodicity in the context of daily circadian rhythms [43][44][45][46] but not on how heart rate changes during the sleep period itself.…”