Published in:
23-08-2022 | Research Article
Self-recorded heart rate variability profiles are associated with health and lifestyle markers in young adults
Published in: Clinical Autonomic Research | Issue 6/2022
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Purpose
To quantify associations between self-recorded heart rate variability (HRV) profiles and various health and lifestyle markers in young adults.
Methods
Otherwise healthy volunteers (n = 40, 50% male) recorded 60-s, post-waking HRV with a cost-free mobile application in supine and standing positions for 7 days. The 7-day average and coefficient of variation (CV, reflects daily fluctuation) for the mean RR interval and root mean square of successive differences (LnRMSSD) were assessed. 7-day sleep duration and physical activity profiles were characterized via wrist-worn accelerometer. Subsequent laboratory assessments included aerobic fitness (\({\mathrm{\dot{V}}}\)O2peak) and markers of cardiovascular, metabolic, and psychoemotional health. Associations were evaluated before and after \({\mathrm{\dot{V}}}\)O2peak adjustment.
Results
Bivariate correlations (P < 0.05) demonstrated that higher 7-day averages and/or lower CV values were associated with higher activity levels and superior cardiovascular (lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure [BP] and aortic stiffness [cf-PWV]), metabolic (lower body fat percentage, fasting glucose, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol [LDL-C]), and psychoemotional health (lower perceived stress) markers, with some variation between sexes and recording position. In males, associations between HRV parameters and cf-PWV remained significant following \({\mathrm{\dot{V}}}\)O2peak adjustment (P < 0.05). In females, HRV parameters were associated (P < 0.05) with numerous cardiovascular (systolic and diastolic BP, cf-PWV) and metabolic (fasting glucose and LDL-C) parameters following \({\mathrm{\dot{V}}}\)O2peak adjustment.
Conclusions
Higher or more stable supine and standing HRV were generally associated with superior health and lifestyle markers in males and females. These findings lay groundwork for future investigation into the usefulness of self-recorded ultra-short HRV as a health-promoting behavior-modification tool in young adults.