Effects of depression on heart rate variability in elderly patients with stable coronary artery disease

Background: Depression is an independent risk factor in coronary artery disease (CAD). Our objective was to evaluate the impact of depression on heart rate variability (HRV) in patients with stable CAD.

Methods: This study included patients with a stable CAD who admitted to our hospital in the geriatric medical center from August 2016 to December 2016. All patients agreed to participate in the study and sign informed consent. The study group included 90 CAD patients with a diagnosis of depression and 99 CAD patients without depression. All study population underwent a 24-hour Holter recording for HRV. The depression was assessed by 5-Item Geriatric Depression.

Results: There was a linear correlation between age and HRV. There were no significant differences in heart rate variability between male and female patients, married and unmarried/widowed, smoking and nonsmoking, drinking and nondrinking groups. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that there were correlations between depression and HRV. β-blockers were associated with SDNN, SDANN, SDNN index, and RMSSD in HRV.

Conclusion: Depression is an important risk factor for heart rate variability in elderly patients with CAD. Clinicians should pay attention for evaluation of depressive patients with CAD.