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Higher Levels of Inflammation Factors and Greater Insulin Resistance Are Independently Associated with Higher Heart Rate and Lower Heart Rate Variability in Normoglycemic Older Individuals: The Cardiovascular Health Study
Author(s) -
Stein Phyllis K.,
Barzilay Joshua I.,
Chaves Paulo H. M.,
Traber Jennifer,
Domitrovich Peter P.,
Heckbert Susan R.,
Gottdiener John S.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
journal of the american geriatrics society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.992
H-Index - 232
eISSN - 1532-5415
pISSN - 0002-8614
DOI - 10.1111/j.1532-5415.2007.01564.x
Subject(s) - medicine , insulin resistance , heart rate variability , inflammation , systemic inflammation , endocrinology , heart rate , fibrinogen , cardiology , univariate analysis , diabetes mellitus , population , insulin , blood pressure , multivariate analysis , environmental health
OBJECTIVES: To explore the relationship between (1) insulin resistance and inflammation factors with (2) higher heart rate (HR) and lower heart rate variability (HRV) in normoglycemic older adults. DESIGN: Cross‐sectional population‐based study. PARTICIPANTS: Five hundred forty‐five adults aged 65 and older with normoglycemia (fasting glucose <100 mg/dL) who participated in the Cardiovascular Health Study. MEASUREMENTS: Serum levels of three inflammation proteins (C‐reactive protein (CRP), interleukin 6 (IL‐6), and fibrinogen); insulin resistance, quantified according to the homeostasis assessment model (HOMA‐IR); HR; and four representative measures of HRV (the standard deviation of normal beat to beat intervals (SDNN), the root mean square of successive differences (rMSSD), very low frequency power (VLF), and the low‐ to high‐frequency power ratio (LF/HF)) derived from 24‐hour Holter recordings. RESULTS: High CRP and IL‐6 levels were associated with higher HR and lower SDNN and VLF after adjustment for multiple covariates, including HOMA‐IR and clinical cardiovascular disease. High IL‐6 was also associated with lower LF/HF. Significant univariate inverse relationships between HOMA‐IR and HR and HRV were also found, but the strengths of these relationships were attenuated after adjustment for inflammation factors. CONCLUSION: Increased levels of inflammation markers and HOMA‐IR are associated with higher HR and lower HRV. These findings suggest that inflammation may contribute to the pathogenesis of cardiovascular autonomic decline in older adults.