Thirty loci identified for heart rate response to exercise and recovery implicate autonomic nervous system

Abstract

Abstract Impaired capacity to increase heart rate (HR) during exercise (ΔHR ex ), and a reduced rate of recovery post-exercise (ΔHR rec ) are associated with higher cardiovascular mortality rates. Currently, the genetic basis of both phenotypes remains to be elucidated. We conduct genome-wide association studies (GWASs) for ΔHR ex and ΔHR rec in ~40,000 individuals, followed by replication in ~27,000 independent samples, all from UK Biobank. Six and seven single-nucleotide polymorphisms for ΔHR ex and ΔHR rec , respectively, formally replicate. In a full data set GWAS, eight further loci for ΔHR ex and nine for ΔHR rec are genome-wide significant ( P ≤ 5 × 10 −8 ). In total, 30 loci are discovered, 8 being common across traits. Processes of neural development and modulation of adrenergic activity by the autonomic nervous system are enriched in these results. Our findings reinforce current understanding of HR response to exercise and recovery and could guide future studies evaluating its contribution to cardiovascular risk prediction.