Assessment of vagal control of the heart in diabetes. Measures of R-R interval variation under different conditions.
R-R intervals and R-R interval variation were measured in 2 selected groups of diabetic subjects; 1 group was selected because vagal control of the heart appeared normal, the other group was selected because they lacked vagal control of the heart. The means of the R-R intervals for the 2 groups were not significantly different under various conditions (sleeping, lying, during deep breathing, sitting, standing, and during upright activity). The standard deviations of the R-R intervals for the 2 groups were only significantly different during deep breathing and upright activity. It is suggested that cardiac vagal function is not reliably assessed by measurement of R-R interval variation during quiet standing, but useful information may be obtained during deep breathing.
D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006321:Heart / Q000294:innervation*; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D010063:Ovum; D005082:Physical Exertion; D012119:Respiration; D014630:Vagus Nerve / Q000503:physiopathology*