BACKGROUND: The effects of active and passive mental stress (PMS) on the QT interval were studied by using an intraindividual regression method of QT-interval correction for heart rate. METHODS: Thirty healthy males (age 21.2 +/- 1.8 years) performed a mental arithmetic for 1 minute, which was considered as active mental stress (AMS) because of the performance requirement. A 1-minute unpleasant video clip was used for PMS. Two baseline and two (an early and a late) ECGs were prepared in both mental stress periods. The individual QT-RR relationship was assessed by linear regression analysis of 7-15 (11.0 +/- 1.9) controlled QT-RR data pairs, also obtained from ECGs gained during a successive set of 9 isometric stretching exercises. RESULTS: Heart rate has increased significantly at both measurements in response to AMS (P < 0.0001), but not in response to passive stress. QTc significantly prolonged early in AMS (P = 0.0004), then normalized by the end of the period. During PMS, no significant QTc changes were observed. The evolution of bifid T waves was noted in 14 subjects: 8 presented bifid T waves during both AMS and exercise, and 6 during only exercise. CONCLUSIONS: AMS and PMS elicit different cardiovascular reactions. Our results indicate that changes in the autonomic tone, probably abrupt sympathetic predominance, may cause QTc prolongation and bifid T waves. This suggests that besides stress quality and intensity, the dynamics of stress application and perception also influence repolarization.
BACKGROUND: The effects of active and passive mental stress (PMS) on the QT interval were studied by using an intraindividual regression method of QT-interval correction for heart rate. METHODS: Thirty healthy males (age 21.2 +/- 1.8 years) performed a mental arithmetic for 1 minute, which was considered as active mental stress (AMS) because of the performance requirement. A 1-minute unpleasant video clip was used for PMS. Two baseline and two (an early and a late) ECGs were prepared in both mental stress periods. The individual QT-RR relationship was assessed by linear regression analysis of 7-15 (11.0 +/- 1.9) controlled QT-RR data pairs, also obtained from ECGs gained during a successive set of 9 isometric stretching exercises. RESULTS: Heart rate has increased significantly at both measurements in response to AMS (P < 0.0001), but not in response to passive stress. QTc significantly prolonged early in AMS (P = 0.0004), then normalized by the end of the period. During PMS, no significant QTc changes were observed. The evolution of bifid T waves was noted in 14 subjects: 8 presented bifid T waves during both AMS and exercise, and 6 during only exercise. CONCLUSIONS:AMS and PMS elicit different cardiovascular reactions. Our results indicate that changes in the autonomic tone, probably abrupt sympathetic predominance, may cause QTc prolongation and bifid T waves. This suggests that besides stress quality and intensity, the dynamics of stress application and perception also influence repolarization.
Authors: Marieke T Blom; Abdennasser Bardai; Barbara C van Munster; Mei-Ing Nieuwland; Hendrik de Jong; Daniel A van Hoeijen; Anne M Spanjaart; Anthonius de Boer; Sophia E de Rooij; Hanno L Tan Journal: PLoS One Date: 2011-09-22 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Songwen Chen; Guannan Meng; Anisiia Doytchinova; Johnson Wong; Susan Straka; Julie Lacy; Xiaochun Li; Peng-Sheng Chen; Thomas H Everett Iv Journal: Front Physiol Date: 2021-12-22 Impact factor: 4.566
Authors: Stefan Brunner; Raphaela Winter; Christina Werzer; Lukas von Stülpnagel; Ina Clasen; Annika Hameder; Andreas Stöver; Matthias Graw; Axel Bauer; Moritz F Sinner Journal: Sci Rep Date: 2021-06-24 Impact factor: 4.379