title: Spectral analysis of R-R and arterial pressure variabilities to assess sympatho-vagal interaction during mental stress in humans.
abstract: We tested the hypothesis that spectral analysis of the R-R interval and systolic arterial pressure variabilities allows assessment of the dynamic changes in neural control of the cardiovascular system in men undergoing mental stress testing. Mental arithmetic increased the low-frequency components of R-R and systolic arterial pressure, i.e. markers of sympathetic activity to the SA node and the vasculature, respectively; it also decreased the high frequency component of R-R variability, a marker of vagal activity. Spectral analysis of R-R and systolic arterial pressure variabilities may be used in the clinic to test the dynamic effects of mental stress on both sympathetic and vagal activities.
authors.affiliation: Istituto Ricerche Cardiovascolari, Università Studi Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pagani
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Furlan
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pizzinelli
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Crivellaro
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cerutti
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Malliani
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology*; D004562:Electrocardiography; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000503:physiopathology; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013564:Sympathetic Nervous System / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014630:Vagus Nerve / Q000503:physiopathology*