BACKGROUND

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading causes of morbidity and mortality. Heart rate variability (HRV) represents the modulatory capacity of the autonomous nervous system and influences mortality. By surveying this meta-analysis, we investigated the impact of physical activity on HRV.

METHODS

Databases, online journal libraries and clinical trial registries were searched for publications of randomized controlled and non-randomized controlled trials concerning adults with coronary artery disease (CAD)/ischemic heart disease (IHD), congestive heart failure (CHF), peripheral arterial disease (PAD) or after acute coronary syndrome (ACS) joining an intervention group with physical activity or a control group with usual care or no intervention. Extracted time-domain and frequency-domain parameter of HRV were analyzed in a meta-analysis using a random effect model. Subgroup analyses concerning intervention type, study design and type of heart disease and sensitivity analysis were performed.

RESULTS

Significant results were obtained for RR-Interval (p = 0.05) and standard deviation of Normal-to-Normal intervals (SDNN) (p = 0.01) for short-term assessment and for the ratio of low-frequency power (LF) to high-frequency power (HF) (p = 0.05) for 24-hour assessment. Subgroup analyses also resulted significant: root-mean-square difference of successive normal R-R intervals (RMSSD) (p = 0.01), SDNN (p = 0.02) and HF (p < 0.01) concerning CHF.

CONCLUSION

We were able to demonstrate the positive impact of physical activity on HRV, especially in patients with CHF. Cardiac rehabilitation exercise programs need to be individualized to identify the most beneficial method of training for improving the prognosis of patients with CVD.