Studies on cardiac sympathovagal balance and large artery distensibility in patients with untreated essential hypertension

Abstract

Background: Power spectral analysis of heart rate variability and arterial distensibility are non-invasive measures of cardiac autonomic modulation and mechanical vessel wall properties, respectively. The aim of the present study was to assess cardiac sympathovagal balance, carotid and brachial artery distensibility and a possible relation between these parameters in mildly hypertensive patients as compared to normotensive controls. Methods: Total power (TP, 0.01 to 0.5 Hz) and spectral components (low frequency 0.04 -0.15 Hz, mainly sympathetic cardiac modulation; high frequency 0.15-0.4 Hz, mainly vagal cardiac modulation) and cardiac sympathovagal balance (LF/LH ratio) of short term heart rate variability (ECG-recording) were calculated in 15 untreated essential hypertensive patients (HYP) and 15 age-and sex-matched healthy controls (CON). Brachial and carotid artery distensibility coefficient (DC) was measured with a multigate doppler system (echotracking).

Resistance exercise training improves heart rate variability in women with fibromyalgia

“…Consistent with previous findings in other clinical populations (Kingwell et al. , 1995; Kosch et al. , 1999; Kim et al.…”

“…Consistent with previous findings in other clinical populations (Kingwell et al, 1995;Kosch et al, 1999;Kim et al, 2007), women with FM had lower BRS and higher pulse pressure compared with healthy controls. Although BP was within normal limits in both groups, systolic BP was in the uppernormal range (prehypertension) in women with FM.…”

“…A suggested mechanism for the reduced BRS in patients with hypertension is increased large artery stiffness (Kingwell et al. , 1995; Kosch et al. , 1999), which reduces the mechanical deformation and stimulation of the baroreceptors.…”

“…It is well known that BRS is lower in hypertensive compared with normotensive individuals and this attenuation is more pronounced in women compared with men (Sevre et al, 2001). A suggested mechanism for the reduced BRS in patients with hypertension is increased large artery stiffness (Kingwell et al, 1995;Kosch et al, 1999), which reduces the mechanical deformation and stimulation of the baroreceptors.…”

A Consistent Abnormality in the Average Local Smoothness of Fetal Heart Rate in Growth-Restricted Fetuses Affected by Severe Pre-Eclampsia

“…At least in the early stage of adult hypertension, hypertensive patients show an abnormality in heart rate regulation, as determined by an abnormality in heart rate variability (7)(8)(9)(10)(11). Furthermore, it was recently shown that in individuals with an increased risk of hypertension, there was an early presence of an abnormality in heart rate regulation (12,13).…”