Tinnitus, heart rate variability, and some biochemical indicators.

Twenty-three tinnitus patients between the ages of 25 and 66 years (mean age, 47.6) were examined completely in the neurootological clinic of the Medical University, Sofia. Heart rate variability measurements were obtained to reveal the relationship between tinnitus and the autonomic equilibrium. Some biochemical indicators (serotonin and the colored sedimentary uric reaction of Kimbarovski [CSURK]) also were followed up. For 19 patients with transitional disturbances in the vertebrobasilar blood circulation, the sympathetic portion of the autonomic nervous system predominates, and heart rate variability is suppressed. The higher suppression of heart rate variability and higher values of the health risk in four occupationally exposed patients are attributable to the higher expressed level of stress connected with the adverse work conditions. Changes in the health risk, CSURK, and serotonin blood values in four tinnitus patients also are discussed.