High-frequency variability in heart rate is related to COVID-19-associated worries six years later

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Magdalena K. Wekenborg - , Chair of Biopsychology, TUD Dresden University of Technology (Author)
  • Andreas Schwerdtfeger - , University of Graz (Author)
  • Fabienne Aust - , University of Lübeck (Author)
  • Bart Verkuil - , Leiden University (Author)

Abstract

Elevated resting heart rate variability (HRV) in the high frequency range has been proposed to be protective against worrying when facing environmental stressors. Yet, prospective studies using real-life stressors are still scarce. The present study set out to replicate the previous finding of reduced resting HRV predicting COVID-19-associated worries in a larger, more homogenous sample over a longer period of time (N = 123; age: 42.32 [SD:10.72]; 65.9 % female; average time lag: six years). In addition, we were interested in investigating the specificity of this effect with respect to worry content, other physiological markers of autonomic functions, and additional potentially relevant covariates with a special focus on a potential moderating effect of sex on this association. In regression analyses adjusting for age, sex, BMI and smoking status, the interaction between HRV and sex was significant, with women depicting a stronger association between HRV and COVID-19 associated worries. Further sensitivity analyses revealed the specificity of the effect for HRV as distinct from mean heart rate, as well as its dependence on previous COVID-19 infection, but not COVID-19 vaccination status and chronic stress level. These data are in line with theories that propose that higher HRV levels can be protective against the deleterious effects of real-life environmental stressors. However, our results also point to the specificity of this effect, especially with respect to worry content and sex.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Article number108404
JournalBiological psychology
Volume173
Publication statusPublished - Sept 2022
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

PubMed 35917994

Keywords

Sustainable Development Goals

Keywords

  • COVID-19, Heart rate variability, Neurovisceral integration, Vagus, Worry

Library keywords