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The utility of low frequency heart rate variability as an index of sympathetic cardiac tone: A review with emphasis on a reanalysis of previous studies
Author(s) -
Reyes del Paso Gustavo A.,
Langewitz Wolf,
Mulder Lambertus J. M.,
Roon Arie,
Duschek Stefan
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
psychophysiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.661
H-Index - 156
eISSN - 1469-8986
pISSN - 0048-5772
DOI - 10.1111/psyp.12027
Subject(s) - heart rate variability , balance (ability) , autonomic nervous system , vagal tone , psychology , heart rate , sympathetic activity , index (typography) , cardiology , medicine , neuroscience , blood pressure , computer science , world wide web
This article evaluates the suitability of low frequency ( LF ) heart rate variability ( HRV ) as an index of sympathetic cardiac control and the LF /high frequency ( HF ) ratio as an index of autonomic balance. It includes a comprehensive literature review and a reanalysis of some previous studies on autonomic cardiovascular regulation. The following sources of evidence are addressed: effects of manipulations affecting sympathetic and vagal activity on HRV , predictions of group differences in cardiac autonomic regulation from HRV , relationships between HRV and other cardiac parameters, and the theoretical and mathematical bases of the concept of autonomic balance. Available data challenge the interpretation of the LF and LF / HF ratio as indices of sympathetic cardiac control and autonomic balance, respectively, and suggest that the HRV power spectrum, including its LF component, is mainly determined by the parasympathetic system.