Key result
Exposure to a 1,400 m sub-plateau environment for one week significantly reduced heart rate variability, including a decrease in SDNN from 156.67 ms to 141.91 ms (p=0.021), which reversed after three months and upon return to lower altitude.
Why the study?
Heart rate variability patterns during acclimatization and de-acclimatization phases in individuals traveling to high-altitude areas, and its relationship with sleep stability, had not been thoroughly investigated.
Does acclimatization to a sub-plateau environment affect heart rate variability and sleep in healthy adults?
Cohort (n=20)
No
Does acclimatization to a sub-plateau environment affect heart rate variability and sleep in healthy adults?
Acclimatization to a sub-plateau environment dynamically alters autonomic nervous system balance and sleep in healthy adults, with initial sympathetic excitation followed by vagal dominance.
Background The low-pressure, hypoxic environment characteristic of high-altitude regions significantly affects the cardiovascular and autonomic nervous system functions of individuals, consequently impairing their sleep quality. Heart rate variability, a non-invasive indicator of autonomic nervous system activity and balance within the cardiovascular system, has not been thoroughly investigated in terms of its patterns during acclimatization and de-acclimatization phases for individuals traveling to and residing in high-altitude areas and its relationship with sleep stability. Methods Data was collected from 22 medical staff members who traveled from Chengdu to Yecheng, with measurements taken before leaving Chengdu, 1 week in Yecheng, 3 months in Yecheng, and 1 week after returning to Chengdu. The study analyzed changes in heart rate variability during acclimatization and de-acclimatization at 1,400 m above sea level. It also examined arrhythmia and sleep disorders based on circadian groups. Results 1. Following 1 week of acclimatization to the sub-plateau environment of Yecheng, significant decreases were observed in SDANN, SDNN and SD2 indices compared to departure from Chengdu ( P < 0.05). After 3 months of sub-plateau acclimatization, these indices significantly increased ( P < 0.05). Upon returning to Chengdu and undergoing de-acclimatization for 1 week, these indices further significantly increased ( P < 0.05). 2. During the period of sub-plateau acclimatization and de-acclimatization, significant changes were noted in average heart rate and minimum heart rate ( P < 0.05), with the average heart rate showing a continuous decrease and the minimum heart rate exhibiting an initial increase followed by a decrease. No significant changes were observed in maximum heart rate or the incidence of arrhythmias ( P > 0.05). 3. When stratified by day and night, the trends for SDANN, RMSSD, and TP were consistent with the overall trend at night ( P < 0.05), but opposite during the day ( P < 0.05). 4. During the sub-plateau acclimatization period, stable sleep duration was significantly reduced, and increased markedly after de-acclimatization, although it did not return to pre-acclimatization levels ( P < 0.05). Conclusion Acclimatization to the sub-plateau environment of Yecheng affects the autonomic nervous system, heart rate, and sleep in healthy adults. De-acclimatization can ameliorate these effects. Furthermore, the impact of sub-plateau acclimatization on the autonomic nervous system exhibits a distinct circadian rhythmicity.
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Ye et al. (2024) conducted a cohort in Healthy adults (n=20). Sub-plateau acclimatization (1,400 m altitude) vs. Baseline before leaving Chengdu (500 m altitude) was evaluated on Standard deviation of all 24 h sinus RR intervals (SDNN) at 1 week (p=0.021). Exposure to a 1,400 m sub-plateau environment for one week significantly reduced heart rate variability, including a decrease in SDNN from 156.67 ms to 141.91 ms (p=0.021), which reversed after three months and upon return to lower altitude.
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