Shortlisted Research Papers

Heart rate variability (HRV) indices the vegetative nervous system and is connected with cardiovascular and nervous diseases. Cardiovascular risk can either be assessed by prospectively analyzing endpoints or by risk scores indicating the cumulative risk of an individual. Different scores predict for cardiovascular events in a different way, e.g. PROCAM predicts for risk of myocardial infarction (MI) while the SCORE algorithm predicts for death due to MI and not for disease and Framingham can predict for both, hard coronary heard disease (CHD) or CHD, depending on the applied formula. While HRV can also be used as predictor of mortality risk i.e. after acute MI.

Sudden cardiac death (SCD) represents about 25% of deaths in clinical cardiology. The identification of risk factors for SCD is the philosopher's stone of cardiology and the identification of non-invasive markers of risk of SCD remains one of the most important goals for the scientific community.

A growing body of literature suggests that reduced HRV, a physiological marker of autonomic nervous system activity, is associated with various pathological conditions including glycemic disorders and cardiovascular diseases. The extent to which this association is confounded by other more traditional markers of cardiovascular risk, such as MetS, is unclear.

Self-rated health (SRH), a simple question asking individuals to rate their health in general, has consistently been found to predict mortality, morbidity, and other health outcomes. This is not surprising in itself, as SRH is associated with many indicators of physical and mental health (see meta-analysis by Pinquart), such as functional ability, depression, and chronic pain, as well as with social risk factors such as socioeconomic status (e.g. income disparities), demographics (age and gender), work stress and leadership.

Multiple sclerosis can cause cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction. It is assumed that is caused by multiple demyelinating plaques localized in the brain stem and spinal cord. Previous studies have determined this using tilt table test, heart rate responses to Valsalva maneuver and deep breathing and heart rate variability analysis with 24 h Holter monitoring. However there is not a consensus regarding the presence of the relationship between autonomic dysfunction and severity of multiple sclerosis, type of multiple sclerosis and expanded disability status scale.

With population ageing a significant concern, modifiable factors contributing to healthy ageing must be identified. Autonomic responding reflected by heart rate variability (HRV) has well-established links to general health and wellbeing in younger populations; but has yet to be explored in older individuals.

Heart rate variability (HRV) is a significant marker of health outcomes with decreased HRV predicting increased disease risk. HRV is decreased in major depressive disorder (MDD) but existing treatments for depression do not return heart rate variability to normal levels even with successful treatment of depression. Heart rate variability biofeedback (HRVB) increases heart rate variability but no studies to date have examined whether combining HRVB with psychotherapy improves outcome in MDD treatment.

Meditation has been a key component of eastern spiritual practices. Heartfulness meditation is a unique heart based system with key practices like cleaning and meditation aided by yogic transmission.

Heart rate variability (HRV) is the variation of cardiac inter-beat intervals over time resulting largely from the interplay between the sympathetic and parasympathetic branches of the autonomic nervous system. Individual differences in HRV are associated with emotion regulation, personality, psychopathology, cardiovascular health, and mortality. Previous studies have shown significant heritability of HRV measures. Here we extend genetic research on HRV by investigating sex differences in genetic underpinnings of HRV, the degree of genetic overlap among different measurement domains of HRV, and phenotypic and genetic relationships between HRV and the resting heart rate (HR).

The heart rate variability analysis could be used as a complementary non-invasive tool for the early diagnosis and better prognosis of autonomic dysfunction, and survival in BC patients. There are many potential clinical applications of heart rate variability analysis in BC patients, and the employment of such approaches could lead to lower impairment of autonomic function in this individuals.

An increasing cancer incidence affecting any age and social class is putting serious strain on populations and health care systems around the world. This systematic literature search aims (i) to examine the correlation of heart rate variability (HRV) and cancer patients' prognosis, (ii) to examine the relationship of HRV and clinicopathological features, and (iii) to compare HRV between different patient groups, and between patient and control groups. We conducted a systematic literature review following the PRISMA Statement. We searched the PubMed and EMBASE databases for publications released by December 2017. The search terms were: "cancer" AND "heart rate variability" AND "human" NOT "animal" NOT "review". A total of 19 studies were finally included in this review. Most publications were high-quality observational studies. The studies showed that higher HRV correlated positively with patients' progression of disease and outcome. Thus, we conclude that individuals with higher HRV and advanced coping mechanisms seem to have a better prognosis in cancer progression. HRV appears to be a useful aspect to access the general health status of cancer patients.