Abstract
Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of menstrual cycle on cardiac autonomic function parameters in young healthy women by means of heart rate variability (HRV).
Methods: Forty‐three nonobese regularly cycling women (age 29 ± 6, range 20–38) were enrolled. Recordings for HRV analysis were obtained during the two phases of the menstrual cycle when the estrogen and progesterone levels peaked (follicular phase 11 ± 1 days and luteal phase 21 ± 1 days from the start of bleeding). Power spectral analysis of HRV was performed to calculate the low frequency peak (LF, 0.04–0.15 Hz), high frequency peak (HF, 0.15–0.40 Hz), LF in normalized unit (LF nU), HF in normalized unit (HF nU), and LF/HF ratio during the two phases of menstrual cycle.
Results: The heart rates, LF and HF, were similar in both phases (P > 0.05). A significant increase was noted in the LF NU in the luteal phase compared to follicular phase of the menstrual cycle (P = 0.014), whereas a tendency for increased HF NU was observed in the follicular phase (P = 0.053). Furthermore, LF/HF ratio was significantly higher in the luteal phase compared to follicular phase (2.1 ± 1.5 vs 1.6 ± 0.9, P = 0.002), suggesting increased sympathetic activity in the luteal phase.
Conclusion: We concluded that regulation of autonomic tone is modified during menstrual cycle. The alteration in the balance of ovarian hormones might be responsible for these changes in the cardiac autonomic innervation. A.N.E. 2002;7(1):60–63
Keywords: heart rate variability, menstrual cycle, autonomic nervous system
REFERENCES
- 1. Fallen EL, Kamath MV, Ghista DN. Power spectrum of heart rate variability: A noninvasive test of integrated neurocardiac function. Clin Invest Med 1988;11:331–340. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 2. Sato N, Miyake S, Akatsu J, et al. Power spectral analysis of heart rate variability in healthy young women during the normal menstrual cycle. Psychosom Med 1995;57:331–335. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 3. Guasti L, Grimoldi P, Mainardi LT, et al. Autonomic function and baroreflex sensitivity during a normal ovulatory cycle. Acta Cardiol 1999;54:209–213. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 4. Fuenmayor AJ, Ramirez L, Fuenmayor AM. Left ventricular function and autonomic nervous system balance during two different stages of the menstrual cycle. Intern J Cardiol 2000;72:243–246. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 5. Task Force of the European Society of Cardiology and the North American Society of Pacing and Electrophysiology. Heart rate variability: Standards of measurement, physiological interpretation and clinical use. Circulation 1996;93: 1043–1065. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 6. Tokgozoglu SL, Batur MK, Topcuoglu MA, et al. Effects of stroke localization on cardiac autonomic balance and sudden death. Stroke 1999;30: 1307–1311. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 7. Goldstein DS, Levinson P, Keiser HR. Plasma and urinary catecholamines during the human ovulatory cycle. J Obstet Gynecol 1983;146:824–829. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 8. Stumpf WE. Steroid hormones and the cardiovascular system: Direct actions of estradiol, progesterone, testosterone gluco‐ and mineralocorticoids and soltriol (vitamin D) on central nervous regulatory and peripheral tissues. Experientia 1990;46:13–25. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]