Generalised heart rate statistics reveal neurally mediated homeostasis transients

¹ Institute of Theoretical Physics and Astrophysics, University of Gdańsk - ul. Wita Stwosza 57, 80-952 Gdańsk, Poland
² Department of Hypertension and Diabetology, Medical University of Gdańsk - ul. Dȩbinki 7c, 80-952 Gdańsk, Poland
³ Faculty of Applied Physics and Mathematics, Gdańsk University of Technology - ul. Narutowicza 11,12, 80-952 Gdańsk, Poland
⁴ Department of Cardiology and Electrotherapy, Medical University of Gdańsk - ul. Dȩbinki 7, 80-952 Gdańsk, Poland
⁵ RIKEN Brain Science Institute - 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako- shi 351-0198, Japan
⁶ Graduate School of Education, The University of Tokyo - 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo- ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan

Received: 22 November 2014
Accepted: 13 April 2015

Abstract

Distributions of accelerations and decelerations, obtained from increments of heart rate recorded during a head-up tilt table (HUTT) test provide short-term characterization of the complex cardiovascular response to a rapid controlled dysregulation of homeostasis. A generalised statistic is proposed for evaluating the neural reflexes responsible for restoring the homeostatic dynamics. An evaluation of the effects on heart rate of the neural regulation involved in achieving homeostasis indicates a distinction between vasovagal patients and healthy subjects who are not susceptible to spontaneous fainting. A healthy cardiovascular response to the HUTT test is identified in the sympathetic tone appropriately punctuated by vagal activity.