Abstract
The purpose of the present study was to determine the effects on heart rate variability (HRV) of sitting on the couch time (SCT) in patients with mild hypertension and/or stable angina pectoris (SAP) and to clarify the relationship between SCT, active mass (AM), and sympathovagal balance. This study consisted of 41 patients with mild hypertension and/or stable angina pectoris (SAP). SCT, AM, and HRV were measured at the start of the study (BASE) and after 6 months (6MoA). At 6MoA, SCT decreased in 26 patients (the DC group), while it increased in 15 patients (the IC group). There were significant increases in the HF component of 24hours and during sleep in the DC group between the data at BASE and 6MoA. In a multivariate model, decreased SCT revealed a trend toward an association with increased HF during sleep. Decreased AM revealed a trend toward an association with an increased LF/HF component during sleep. In patients, a decrease in SCT improved HRV outcomes with increased HF during sleep and a decrease in AM increased LF/HF during sleep. This study demonstrates the potential importance of decreased SCT and increased AM in patients with mild hypertension and/or SAP.
