Key result
Female sex was associated with higher vagally mediated HRV, while the cardiac timing effect on reaction time was positively correlated with HRV in males but not females.
Why the study?
While sex differences in cardiovascular disease are documented, the underlying physiological mechanisms remain unclear.
Cross-Sectional (n=94)
Healthy males and females exhibit different physiological relationships between cardiac vagal control and baroreflex activity, highlighting potential mechanisms for sex differences in cardiovascular disease.
Sex differences in vagal control may inform gender-specific prevention; leaves open mechanisms and clinical relevance in broader CVD populations.
Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of mortality and disability worldwide. While sex differences in CVD have been well documented, the physiological mechanisms of those sex differences remain unclear. As important components of the cardiovascular system, cardiac vagal control and baroreflex serve as mechanisms of sex differences in CVD and are modifiable factors for gender-specific CVD preventions. Methods: Ninety-four healthy adults (18–44 years of age; Mage = 21.09 years; 46 female) were recruited to complete the assessments of heart rate variability (HRV) at a resting baseline and the cardiac timing effect on an R-wave-locked reaction time (RT) task, which were used as the indicator of cardiac vagal control and a novel behavioral measure of baroreflex activity, respectively. HRV metrics (including the root mean square of successive R-R interval differences, high frequency and low frequency heart rate variability, and low frequency-to-high frequency ratio), the cardiac timing effect (the inhibition of RT response at the phase of cardiac systole compared to diastole), and their associations were compared between female and male participants. Results: Female participants showed higher levels of vagally mediated HRV after adjusting for basal resting heart rate. Importantly, the cardiac timing effect on RT responses was positively correlated with vagally mediated HRV among males but not among females. Conclusions: Females and males exhibited different physiological processes to regulate cardiovascular functions and behavioral outcomes. The present findings will help to reduce gender disparities in the preventive care of CVD and improve cardiovascular health for both women and men.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Yang et al. (2024) conducted a cross-sectional in Healthy adults (n=94). Female sex vs. Male sex was evaluated on Heart rate variability (HRV) and its association with the cardiac timing effect on reaction time. Female sex was associated with higher vagally mediated HRV, while the cardiac timing effect on reaction time was positively correlated with HRV in males but not females.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: