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Circadian rhythm of frequency-domain measures of heart rate variability in pregnancy

  1. Eeva M. K. Ekholm Senior Registrar 1,*,
  2. Jaakko Hartiala Chief of Department 2,
  3. Heikki V. Huikuri Consultant 3

Article first published online: 19 AUG 2005

DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.1997.tb12027.x

Issue

BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology

BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology

Volume 104, Issue 7, pages 825–828, July 1997

Additional Information

How to Cite

Ekholm, E. M. K., Hartiala, J. and Huikuri, H. V. (1997), Circadian rhythm of frequency-domain measures of heart rate variability in pregnancy. BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 104: 825–828. doi: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.1997.tb12027.x

Author Information

  1. 1

    Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Cardiorespiratory Research Unit, Finland

  2. 2

    Department of Clinical Physiology, University of Turku, Finland

  3. 3

    Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Oulu, Finland

*Correspondence: Dr E. M. K. Ekholm, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Turku University Hospital, SF-20520 Turku, Finland.

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 19 AUG 2005
  2. Article first published online: 19 AUG 2005
  3. Received 3 May 1996 Accepted 25 November 1996

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Objective To examine frequency domain measures of heart rate variability and their circadian rhythms in pregnancy.

Design A longitudinal study.

Setting University hospital in Turku, Finland.

Participants Sixteen healthy women between 11 and 27 weeks of pregnancy; 12 women before pregnancy; and four women postpartum.

Main outcome measures Heart rate variability as measured in frequency domain from 24-hour ambulatory electrocardiography.

Results Pregnancy was associated with a lower standard deviation of R-R intervals (P < 0.01), with reduced very low (P < 0.05), low (P < 0.01), and high frequency (P < 0.05) power spectral components of heart rate variability. The high frequency power was lower at night in pregnancy, but similar in the daytime in pregnant and nonpregnant women.

Conclusions Pregnancy is associated with an overall reduction in heart rate variability, most markedly reflected in the low frequency component. This suggests altered baroreflex or sympathetic modulation of heart rate, and decreased vagal activation at night.

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