Depressive Symptoms are Associated with Heart Rate Variability Independently of Fitness: A Cross-Sectional Study of Patients with Heart Failure.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Depression is associated with reduced heart rate variability (HRV) in healthy and cardiac samples, which may be accounted for by physical fitness. In a small sample of cardiac patients, activity and fitness levels attenuated the relationship between HRV and depression. In the current study of heart failure (HF) patients, we hypothesized that depressive symptoms and HRV would be inversely related and physical fitness would attenuate this association.

Purpose

To determine if previous associations among depressive symptoms, physical fitness, and HRV would replicate in a sample of HF patients.

Methods

The sample consisted of HF patients (N = 125) aged 68.55 ± 8.92 years, 68.8% male, and 83.2% Caucasian. The study was cross-sectional and a secondary analysis of

SUBMITTER: Walter FA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6779069 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature