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Clinical Autonomic Research
Published in: Clinical Autonomic Research 1/2016

01-02-2016 | Research Article

Is heart rate variability associated with frequency and intensity of vasomotor symptoms among healthy perimenopausal and postmenopausal women?

Authors: Salene M. W. Jones, Katherine A. Guthrie, Andrea Z. LaCroix, Barbara Sternfeld, Carol A. Landis, Susan D. Reed, Andrea Dunn, Bette Caan, Lee S. Cohen, Julie Hunt, Katherine M. Newton

Published in: Clinical Autonomic Research | Issue 1/2016

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Abstract

Objective

Research has suggested that the autonomic nervous system (ANS) is involved in the experience of vasomotor symptoms (VMS) during menopause. We examined the relationship of VMS intensity and heart rate variability (HRV), a measure of ANS function.

Methods

Women (n = 282) were recruited from three American states for a clinical trial of yoga, exercise, and omega-3 fatty acid supplements for VMS. To be eligible, women had to report at least 14 VMS per week, with some being moderate to severe. Sitting electrocardiograms were recorded for 15 min using Holter monitors at both baseline and 12-week follow-up. Time and frequency domain HRV measures were calculated. Women completed daily diary measures of VMS frequency and intensity for 2 weeks at baseline and for 1 week at the follow-up assessment 12 weeks later. Multivariable linear regression was used to assess the relationship between VMS and baseline HRV measures and to compare change in HRV with change in VMS over the 12 weeks.

Results

Baseline HRV was not associated with either VMS frequency or intensity at baseline. Change in HRV was not associated with change in VMS frequency or intensity across the follow-up.

Interpretation

Heart rate variability (HRV) was not associated with basal VMS frequency or intensity in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women experiencing high levels of VMS. Autonomic function may be associated with the onset or presence of VMS, but not with the number or intensity of these symptoms.
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Metadata
Title
Is heart rate variability associated with frequency and intensity of vasomotor symptoms among healthy perimenopausal and postmenopausal women?
Authors
Salene M. W. Jones
Katherine A. Guthrie
Andrea Z. LaCroix
Barbara Sternfeld
Carol A. Landis
Susan D. Reed
Andrea Dunn
Bette Caan
Lee S. Cohen
Julie Hunt
Katherine M. Newton
Publication date
01-02-2016
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
Clinical Autonomic Research / Issue 1/2016
Print ISSN: 0959-9851
Electronic ISSN: 1619-1560
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10286-015-0322-x

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