The Respiratory Sinus Arrhythmia: A Measure of Cardiac Age

A method developed for quantifying respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) during voluntary cardiorespiratory synchronization relies on computer-assisted rhythmometric cosinor analysis of instantaneous heart rate data. The RSA was present in all subjects tested, even those at advanced ages. The amplitude...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Science (American Association for the Advancement of Science) 1984-06, Vol.224 (4652), p.1001-1004
Main Authors: Hrushesky, W. J. M., Fader, D., Schmitt, O., Gilbertsen, V.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Aged
Aging
Analysis of variance
Arrhythmia
Arrhythmia, Sinus - physiopathology
Biological and medical sciences
Breathing
Compliance
Cosine function
Diabetic neuropathies
Diabetic Neuropathies - physiopathology
Female
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Heart
Heart - physiology
Heart - physiopathology
Heart beat
Heart diseases
Heart Rate
Heart Transplantation
Humans
Male
Microcomputers
Middle Aged
P values
Physiology
Respiration
Sinus arrhythmias
Statistical variance
Vertebrates: cardiovascular system
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Summary:A method developed for quantifying respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) during voluntary cardiorespiratory synchronization relies on computer-assisted rhythmometric cosinor analysis of instantaneous heart rate data. The RSA was present in all subjects tested, even those at advanced ages. The amplitude of the RSA falls approximately 10 percent per decade. An individual with a transplanted heart and one with severe diabetic neuropathy each had resting RSA values that were normal for their ages. The shape and amplitude of the RSA during voluntary cardiorespiratory synchronization may reflect the suppleness of the heart and its response to rhythmically changing intrathoracic pressure and the subsequent ebb-and-flow of venous return. Our technology allows objective quantitative assessment of the biologic age of the heart and also the effect of any drug, disease, or behavior that affects the RSA.
ISSN:0036-8075
1095-9203
DOI:10.1126/science.6372092