[Changes in the fractal component of spectral analysis of heart rate variability and systolic blood pressure variability during the head-up tilt test].J Cardiol. 1999 Oct; 34(4):211-7.JC
Blood pressure and heart rate change are related to the level of physical activity, and are correlated with each other. Heart rate and blood pressure signals were investigated by coarse graining spectral analysis and changes in the harmonic and non-harmonic (fractal) power were examined during the head-up tilt test. Fourteen healthy subjects, 9 men and 5 women (mean age 30.4 +/- 1.0 years) completed the test protocol of 15 min supine rest followed by the head-up tilt (80 degrees) test. Heart rate was measured continuously with standard bipolar leads and electrocardiography. A finger cuff was placed on the left index finger for beat-by-beat recording of systolic blood pressure based on the continuous noninvasive method, and the impulse train was stored on a personal computer for spectral analysis. The harmonic component, the integrated powers in the low-frequency and high-frequency regions, and the fractal component were then calculated. The fractal component was plotted on a log power versus log frequency plane with spectral index beta estimated as the slope of the linear regression of this 1/f beta plot. RR-interval was significantly shorter during the head-up tilt position than in the supine rest position with a marked reduction in the high-frequency power. The ratio of fractal component for total power was increased and the slope beta of the 1/f beta relationship was significantly greater in the head-up tilt (1.61 +/- 0.05) than in the supine rest (0.92 +/- 0.07) position. Systolic blood pressure showed a significant increase during head-up tilt, and marked increases in high-frequency power and fractal power. However, both the ratio of fractal component for total power and the slope beta remained unchanged. Further studies are needed to clarify whether the slope beta is essentially stable or variable in some conditions.