Summary
A systematic review confirms that COPD patients have significantly reduced HRV compared to healthy controls, with both sympathetic and parasympathetic dysfunction. Lower HRV correlates with disease severity.
Methods
Systematic review and meta-analysis of HRV in COPD
Key Findings
- COPD patients show reduced overall HRV (SDNN, RMSSD)
- Both sympathetic and parasympathetic modulation decreased
- Relative sympathetic predominance persists
- Hypoxemia and hypercapnia contribute to autonomic dysfunction
- Beta-agonist medications may also affect HRV
Limitations
High variability in HRV measurement methodology across studies
What This Means for You
If you have COPD, expect lower HRV than population norms. Focus on your personal trends and discuss any significant changes with your pulmonologist. Optimizing oxygenation may help autonomic function.
Source
Read the original paper in Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine ↗
Added to HRV Zone: 2025-01-10