Comparative study of heart rate variability of natural longevity among the Uighurs, Kazaks and Hans
Shindo, A.; Ozawa, Y.; Yanagawa, S.; Saito, S.; Kanmatsuse, K.
Nichidai Igaku Zasshi 58(12): 592-599
1999
ISSN/ISBN: 0029-0424 Document Number: 562956
The autonomic nervous function of the Uighurs, a population noted for their natural longevity, was studied by analyzing heart rate variability from the recordings of 24-hour Holter ECG, and was compared with that of two other groups, the Kazaks and Hans, populations with relatively shorter life expectancies. The study population included a longevity group of Uighurs (over 90 years) and old groups of Uighurs, Kazaks, and Hans (65-70 years), all from Xinjiang, China. Of the five prameters (R-R TV, SDNN, SD, RMS-SD, and %NN50) studied, three (R-R TV, SDNN, and SD) were found to be significantly different between the Uighurs (both in the longevity and old groups), and the Kazaks. Specifically, the heart rete variability of the Uighurs at a slow cycle declined more significantly than that of the other groups. On the other hand, there were no significant difference between Uighurs and Kazaks in the two parameters (RMS-SD, and %NN50). Group of Hans took a middle position between Uighura and Kazaks in any of the parameters. No significant difference in any of the parameters was noted between the Uighurs aged over 90 years and those aged 65-70 years. Although heart rate variability is considered to be a biological indicator that declines with age and is thought to be an independent prognostic factor, we observed that the heart rate variability of the Uighurs, considered to have a long life expectancy, was low at a slower cycle and their average heart rate was high. In conclusion, the longevity group of Uighurs may have the same parasympathetic nervous function as the old group of Uighurs. When compared with the Kazaks, and the Hans groups, however, the longevity and old groups of Uighurs showed lower HRV in slower cycle changes, which might be due to difference in the behavioral patterns and customs of these ethnic groups.