Heart Rate Variability in HD

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Heart Rate Variability in HD

2021

Dysfunction in the autonomic nervous system in people with Huntington’s disease (HD) has been reported under various conditions, indicated by altered heart rate variability (HRV). Several studies have demonstrated altered physiological responses to exercise testing and training; however, no study has evaluated HRV responses to investigate autonomic stress reactivity in HD. In this study, we analyzed the HRV parameters of participants with HD and age- and sex-matched non-HD peers during an incremental maximal exercise test. The results showed that people with HD had reduced aerobic exercise capacity and sympathovagal dysautonomia both at rest and during post-exercise recovery. This study provides further support that altered exercise prescription may be required for people with HD. Further investigations focusing on cardiac dysautonomia and underlying mechanisms of sympathovagal dysautonomia in people with HD are needed.

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