Male sex and aging were significantly associated with diurnal heart rate variability, with males showing higher %LF than females and LF correlating significantly with age.
Observational (n=105)
Diurnal profiles of heart rate variability are significantly affected by aging and sex, with males exhibiting higher sympathetic dominance.
To study the effects of aging and gender, circadian profiles of heart rate variability were evaluated for 105 healthy volunteers by frequency domain analysis of a Holter electrocardiogram record. The low-frequency (LF) component representing cardiac beta-adrenergic function showed high values for the 0800-1200 period in male subjects and the 1200-2400 period in female subjects. The high-frequency (HF) component representing parasympathetic function showed a peak for the 0000-0600 period in both male and female subjects independent of age. Male subjects showed significantly higher %LF LF/(LF + HF) x 100 than female subjects. LF showed consistently highly significant correlation with age. These basic findings can help elucidate the diurnal profile of cardiac nerve function and how it is affected by aging and sex difference.
Yamasaki et al. (Mon,) conducted a observational in Healthy (n=105). Aging and sex was evaluated on Circadian profiles of heart rate variability. Male sex and aging were significantly associated with diurnal heart rate variability, with males showing higher %LF than females and LF correlating significantly with age.