The relationship of trauma exposure to heart rate variability during wake and sleep in midlife women

Abstract

Traumatic experiences are common and linked to cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk, yet the mechanisms underlying these relationships is less well understood. Few studies have examined trauma exposure and its relation to autonomic influence over cardiac function, a potential pathway linking trauma exposure to CVD risk. Investigating autonomic influence over cardiac function during both wake and sleep is critical, given particular links of sleep autonomic function to cardiovascular health. Among midlife women, we tested whether trauma exposure would be related to lower high frequency heart rate variability (HF‐HRV), an index of vagal influence over cardiac function, during wake and sleep. Three hundred and one nonsmoking midlife women completed physical measures, a 24‐hr electrocardiogram, actigraphy sleep measurement, and questionnaires about trauma (Brief Trauma Questionnaire), childhood abuse (Child Trauma Questionnaire [CTQ]), mood, demographics, and medical/psychiatric history. Relations between trauma and HF‐HRV were assessed in linear mixed effects models adjusting for covariates (age, race, education, body mass index, blood pressure, psychiatric history, medication use, sleep, mood, childhood abuse history). Results indicated that most women had experienced trauma. Any trauma exposure as well as a greater number of traumatic experiences were associated with lower HF‐HRV during wake and particularly during sleep. Relations were not accounted for by covariates. Among midlife women, trauma exposure was related to lower HF‐HRV during wake and sleep. Trauma may have an important impact on vagal influence over the heart, particularly during sleep. Decreased vagal influence over cardiac function may be a key mechanism by which trauma is associated with CVD risk.

Heart rate variability biofeedback intero-nociceptive emotion exposure therapy for adverse childhood experiences

“…At the onset of session 2, patients had higher HRV than at the onset of session 1, which indicates larger parasympathetic influences towards the end of the therapy. Also, in the general population, HRV tends to be lower in patients compared to controls 39 A possible interpretation for the reduction in HRV within session 2 (and not within session 1), is that the HRV at the onset of session 2 was high enough to allow for a reduction associated with the emotional trauma recall. This was not the case in session 1 where the initial HRV was lower than in session 2 and thus might not have allowed for further reduction in HRV induced by trauma recall.…”

Psychological impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) social distancing mandates on trauma survivors

“…36 Considered a valid and reliable self-report instrument, the BTQ parallels interview measures of trauma exposure and is often used in medical research as a short and easily accessible assessment for trauma exposure. 37 , 38 , 39 Examples of traumas identified by the BTQ include “Have you been in a serious car accident, an accident at work, or somewhere else?”, “Have you been in a major natural or technological disaster such as a fire, tornado, hurricane, flood, earthquake, or chemical spill?”, and “Have you ever had (or currently have) a life-threatening illness such as cancer, a heart attack, leukemia, acquired immune deficiency syndrome, multiple sclerosis, etc.?”. We identified pre-existing trauma as either no exposure, one exposure, two exposures, or three plus exposures, as identified within the literature.…”

Childhood Maltreatment and Leukocyte Telomere Length: Cardiac Vagal Activity Influences the Relation in Older Adults

“…Consistent with this, survivors of childhood maltreatment tend to exhibit lower resting HRV values (29)(30)(31)(32)(33)(34)(35)(36). However, no consistent patterns of HRV response to stress have emerged in survivors.…”