Long-Term Follow-up of the Circadian Rhythm of Heart Rate and Heart Rate Variability in Healthy Elderly Patients

Abstract

In elderly people, age-related changes in the 24-h mean heart rate (HR) were conversely dissociated from those of the 24-h mean HRV. However, the close correlation between hourly HR and HRV was preserved, even in very elderly patients. Additionally, the amplitude rates in HRV in the morning increased with age. These age-related changes of HR and HRV might be characteristic of elderly people.