biostudies-literatureUnknown13Lutin E<h4>Background</h4>Chronic stress and depressive symptoms have both been linked to increased heart rate (HR) and reduced HR variability. However, up to date, it is not clear whether chronic stress, the mechanisms intrinsic to depression or a combination of both cause these alterations. Subclinical cases may help to answer these questions. In a healthy working population, we aimed to investigate whether the effect of chronic stress on HR circadian rhythm depends on the presence of depressive symptoms and whether chronic stress and depressive symptoms have differential effects on HR reactivity to an acute stressor.<h4>Methods</h4>1,002 individuals of the SWEET study completed baseline questionnaires, including psychological information, and 5 days of electrocardiogram (ECG) measurements. ComFrontiers in psychiatry1022298https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC9606467biostudies-literatureThe cumulative effect of chronic stress and depressive symptoms affects heart rate in a working population.PMC9606467Lutin EVan Hoof CDe Raedt WSchiweck CCornelis JVrieze EClaes SReif AfalseThe cumulative effect of chronic stress and depressive symptoms affects heart rate in a working population.<h4>Background</h4>Chronic stress and depressive symptoms have both been linked to increased heart rate (HR) and reduced HR variability. However, up to date, it is not clear whether chronic stress, the mechanisms intrinsic to depression or a combination of both cause these alterations. Subclinical cases may help to answer these questions. In a healthy working population, we aimed to investigate whether the effect of chronic stress on HR circadian rhythm depends on the presence of depressive symptoms and whether chronic stress and depressive symptoms have differential effects on HR reactivity to an acute stressor.<h4>Methods</h4>1,002 individuals of the SWEET study completed baseline questionnaires, including psychological information, and 5 days of electrocardiogram (ECG) measurements. Com2022-01-01T00:00:00Z20222025-04-04T09:42:24.969Z2025-04-04T09:42:24.969ZS-EPMC96064673631151210.3389/fpsyt.2022.1022298