Racial differences in the association between heart rate variability and left ventricular mass

Abstract

Purpose

Increased left ventricular mass (LVM) is an early precursor of target organ damage due to hypertension. Diminished parasympathetic cardiac control has been linked to both hypertension onset and left ventricular impairment; however, emerging evidence suggests that this pattern may be different in African Americans. The present study sought to determine if race impacts the relationship between parasympathetic cardiac control and LVM.

Methods

LVM was assessed via echocardiography in a sample (N = 148) of African American and White adults (Mean age = 33.20 ± 5.71) with normal or mildly elevated blood pressure. Parasympathetic cardiac control was assessed by a measure of high frequency heart rate variability (HF-HRV) determined from electrocardiographic (ECG) recordings during 5 min of rest.

Results

In regression analysis, greater HF-HRV was associated with greater LVM among African Americans (P = 0.002), but was not related to LVM in Whites (P = 0.919).

Conclusions

These are the first data to demonstrate that race moderates the relationship between HRV and LVM and further suggest that race may be an important factor in the association between parasympathetic cardiac control and other CVD risk factors.

This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved

from #MedicinebyAlexandrosSfakianakis via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2oBfhIH
via IFTTT