Key result
Hot flash episodes in recently postmenopausal women were associated with a 72% increase in the very-low-frequency spectral component of heart rate variability compared to control periods (P<0.001).
Why the study?
Is the frequency and severity of hot flashes associated with altered heart rate variability in recently postmenopausal women?
Population
150 recently postmenopausal women with varying degrees of severity of hot flashes
Comparison
Presence of hot flashes vs Absence of hot flashes
Design
Cross-sectional
Follow-up
24 hours
Authors
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Hot flashes linked to acute autonomic shifts warrant no practice change; hypothesis-generating for cardiovascular risk in postmenopausal women.
Observational (n=150)
Is the frequency and severity of hot flashes associated with altered heart rate variability in recently postmenopausal women?
p-value: p=<0.001
While overall 24-hour heart rate variability does not differ by hot flash severity, acute hot flash episodes are associated with transient alterations in autonomic control of heart rate.
Hoikkala et al. (2010) conducted an observational in Postmenopausal hot flashes (n=150). Hot flash episodes vs. Control periods (absence of symptoms) and women without hot flashes was evaluated on Heart rate variability (very-low-frequency spectral component) (p=<0.001). Hot flash episodes in recently postmenopausal women were associated with a 72% increase in the very-low-frequency spectral component of heart rate variability compared to control periods (P<0.001).
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