HEART RATE VARIABILITY, SLEEP QUALITY, AND LIPID PROFILE AS PREDICTORS OF CARDIOMETABOLIC RISK IN MIDDLE-AGED WOMEN
DOI: https://doi.org/10.17721/1728.2748.2025.102.53-58
Keywords:
heart rate variability, sleep disturbances, lipid profile, cardiometabolic risk, middle-aged women, autonomic dysfunctionAbstract
Background. Sleep disturbances, autonomic nervous system imbalance, and metabolic alterations are considered interrelated factors contributing to increased cardiometabolic risk, particularly in middle-aged women under chronic stress. However, the role of heart rate variability (HRV), sleep quality, and lipid profile as integrated biomarkers of physiological reserve destabilization and potential cardiovascular pathology requires further clarification.
Methods. The study involved 75 women aged 35–55 years, divided into two groups: the experimental group (with chronic sleep disturbances, PSQI ≥ 5 points) and the control group (no sleep complaints). HRV was assessed using 24-hour Holter ECG monitoring, followed by spectral and time-domain analysis (SDNN, RMSSD, LF/HF, AMo). Participants also completed the PSQI questionnaire, and their blood lipid profile (TC, HDL, LDL, TG, AI) was determined. All participants were examined voluntarily with informed consent. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, Mann–Whitney U test, and Spearman correlation analysis.
Results. Women with sleep disturbances had significantly lower HRV indicators, including SDNN (24.4±4.7 ms vs. 41.8±5.2 ms, p < 0.01) and RMSSD (17.9±3.7 ms vs. 32.6±4.4 ms, p < 0.01), and higher AMo and LF/HF ratio (3.42±0.11 vs. 1.28±0.14, p < 0.01), indicating sympathetic predominance and autonomic dysregulation. These women also showed marked impairments in sleep quality: shorter duration and lower efficiency of sleep, higher subjective fatigue, frequent use of hypnotics, and morning tiredness, accompanied by a significantly higher total PSQI score (p < 0.01). Additionally, this group exhibited signs of atherogenic changes: elevated LDL levels (4.1±0.4 mmol/L), triglycerides (2.0±0.3 mmol/L), and atherogenic index (4.5±0.4), along with reduced HDL levels (1.0±0.2 mmol/L), compared to the control group (p < 0.01). Correlation analysis confirmed associations between sleep quality, HRV, and lipid profile indicators.
Conclusions. The findings indicate a close systemic relationship between sleep disorders, autonomic dysfunction, and atherogenic metabolic changes in middle-aged women. Comprehensive assessment of sleep quality index, heart rate variability, and lipid profile may serve as a model predictor of cardiometabolic risk and physiological reserve depletion in this population
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