Hyperventilation-induced heart rate response as a potential marker for cardiovascular disease

Sci Rep. 2019 Nov 29;9(1):17887. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-54375-9.

Abstract

An increase of heart rate to physical or mental stress reflects the ability of the autonomous nervous system and the heart to respond adequately. Hyperventilation is a user-controlled breathing maneuver that has a significant impact on coronary function and hemodynamics. Thus, we aimed to investigate if the heart rate response to hyperventilation (HRRHV) can provide clinically useful information. A pooled analysis of the HRRHV after 60 s of hyperventilation was conducted in 282 participants including healthy controls; patients with heart failure (HF); coronary artery disease (CAD); a combination of both; or patients suspected of CAD but with a normal angiogram. Hyperventilation significantly increased heart rate in all groups, although healthy controls aged 55 years and older (15 ± 9 bpm) had a larger HRRHV than each of the disease groups (HF: 6 ± 6, CAD: 8 ± 8, CAD+/HF+: 6 ± 4, and CAD-/HF-: 8 ± 6 bpm, p < 0.001). No significant differences were found between disease groups. The HRRHV may serve as an easily measurable additional marker of cardiovascular health. Future studies should test its diagnostic potential as a simple, inexpensive pre-screening test to improve patient selection for other diagnostic exams.

MeSH terms

  • Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / pharmacology
  • Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / therapeutic use
  • Adult
  • Biomarkers / analysis
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / drug therapy
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Female
  • Heart Failure / diagnosis
  • Heart Rate / drug effects
  • Heart Rate / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Hyperventilation / physiopathology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Sensitivity and Specificity

Substances

  • Adrenergic beta-Antagonists
  • Biomarkers