The relationship between heart rate variability and inflammatory markers in cardiovascular diseases

Abstract

Summary Introduction Recent evidence implicates a cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway. Because vagus nerve activity mediates some heart rate variability (HRV), this qualitative review examines the literature concerning circulating cytokines and HRV in cardiovascular function in humans. This qualitative review examines the literature concerning circulating cytokines and HRV in cardiovascular function in humans. Methods Thirteen studies on HRV, inflammation, and cardiovascular function were located by electronic library search and descriptively reviewed. Results The relationship between HRV and inflammation was studied in healthy controls, patients with acute or stable coronary heart disease (CHD), patients with metabolic syndrome or impaired glucose tolerance and patients with kidney failure. Investigations focused mainly on lnterleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive peptide (CRP). The majority of reviewed studies reported that parasympathetic nervous system tone as inferred from heart rate variability is inversely related to inflammatory markers (r values between −0.2 and −0.4). The relationships with inflammatory markers were similar whether derived from ECG signals as short as 5–30 min or from 24-h ECG readings for HRV analyses. While inflammatory markers appear to be related to HRV, it is a mistake to assume that the traditional “vagal measures” of HRV (such as high frequency heart rate variability) are the driving factors. Indeed, low frequency heart rate variability, a complex measure reflecting both parasympathetic and sympathetic activity, is the more commonly associated measure linked to inflammatory markers. Discussion Heart rate variability is inversely correlated with inflammatory markers in healthy individuals as well as in those with cardiovascular diseases.

Long noncoding NONRATT021972 siRNA normalized abnormal sympathetic activity mediated by the upregulation of P2X7 receptor in superior cervical ganglia after myocardial ischemia

“…LF represents the sympathetic activity and HF indicates the parasympathetic activity [45,46]. The LF/HF values represent the balance condition between sympathetic and vagal tones [45,46]. The significantly enhanced LF and decreased HF in the MI rats suggest that myocardial ischemia has intensified the sympathetic activity.…”

“…HRV is a quantitative, noninvasive indicator of autonomic nervous function in the cardiovascular system [34,45,46]. LF represents the sympathetic activity and HF indicates the parasympathetic activity [45,46].…”

Heart rate variability is enhanced in controls but not maladaptive perfectionists during brief mindfulness meditation following stress-induction: A stratified-randomized trial

“…Exclusion criteria included a history or current diagnosis of any anxiety disorder and/or major depressive disorder and cardiovascular disease (hypertension, coronary artery disease, and arrhythmias) as these conditions are known to involve ANS dysfunction (Chalmers et al, 2014;Haensel et al, 2008;Kemp et al, 2012;Marano et al, 2009;Miu et al, 2009). Participants were excluded if they had a history of practicing mindfulness meditation or even minimal exposure to the practice (N60 min).…”

“…Insufficient parasympathetic function (corresponding with reduced HRV) can result in difficulties in reaching restful and relaxed states post-stress, while extended autonomic activity can accumulate as cardiovascular disease risks (Haensel et al, 2008;Kemp et al, 2012) and as stable or chronic anxiety-depressive conditions (Brosschot et al, 2006). Conversely, a growing literature associates increased HRV with enhanced attention-regulation (Chida and Steptoe, 2010;Segerstrom and Nes, 2007;Thayer et al, 2009) and with the practice of various forms of meditation (Burg and Wolf, 2012;Krygier et al, 2013;Phongsuphap et al, 2008).…”

Possible relationship between the heart rates and serum amyloid A in a hyperglycemic population

“…The SAA level is sometimes increased in hyperglycemic subjects (11,12). Several prior studies have indicated a positive correlation between the HRs and C-reactive protein (CRP), another inflammatory marker (13,14). However, these studies did not focus on hyperglycemia, and there has been an observation that SAA is closer to CVD-related pathologies than other markers, such as CRP (15)(16)(17).…”