Heart Rate Variability in People with Metabolic Syndrome

Abstract

Metabolic syndrome (MS) is characterized by disorders of carbohydrate and fat metabolism, which can lead to the development of cardiac autonomic neuropathy (CAN). Heart rate variability (HRV) analysis is used to assess the state of autonomic regulation. A decrease in HRV indicates unfavourable changes in autonomic regulation and the development of CAN. The purpose of this study was to compare HRV parameters in patients with metabolic syndrome and healthy individuals without signs of MS. We examined 74 patients with metabolic syndrome (mean age 54.4 ± 1.1 years) and 61 healthy subjects (without signs of MS) (mean age 57.0 ± 1.6 years). The results of the study indicate a significant decrease in HRV in people with MS.