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Annals of Behavioral Medicine
Published in: Annals of Behavioral Medicine 2/2009

01-10-2009 | Original Article

Marital Status and Heart Rate Variability in Patients with Suspected Coronary Artery Disease

Authors: Gemma Randall, M.Sc., Mimi R. Bhattacharyya, M.R.C.P., Ph.D., Andrew Steptoe, D.Phil.

Published in: Annals of Behavioral Medicine | Issue 2/2009

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Abstract

Background

Married individuals are at reduced risk of cardiovascular disease morbidity and mortality. Recent research indicates that impaired heart rate variability (HRV) may contribute to cardiovascular disease morbidity and mortality and has also been associated with social isolation.

Purpose

We investigated associations between HRV and marital status in patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods

Eighty-eight patients who were being investigated for suspected CAD (28 women, 60 men, mean age 61.6, 60% married) were recruited from three rapid access chest pain clinics in London. Heart rate variability was measured using 24-h electrocardiograms and analyzed using frequency and time-domain measures.

Results

Unmarried marital status was associated with reduced heart rate variability as indexed by both frequency and time-domain measures, independently of age, gender, beta-blocker use, depression ratings, and subsequent diagnosis of significant CAD.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that reduced heart rate variability is associated with not being married and may contribute to the reliably observed relationship between marital status and cardiovascular disease morbidity and mortality.
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Metadata
Title
Marital Status and Heart Rate Variability in Patients with Suspected Coronary Artery Disease
Authors
Gemma Randall, M.Sc.
Mimi R. Bhattacharyya, M.R.C.P., Ph.D.
Andrew Steptoe, D.Phil.
Publication date
01-10-2009
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Annals of Behavioral Medicine / Issue 2/2009
Print ISSN: 0883-6612
Electronic ISSN: 1532-4796
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-009-9137-0

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