A preliminary study on resting heart rate in predicting early depression and cognition function after ischemic stroke

Objective To evaluate the relationship of resting heart rate (HR) and heart rate variety (HRV) in the early stage and depression and cognition function after ischemia stroke. Methods A total of 80 consecutive hospitalized patients were selected from May 2014 to May 2017. They were evaluated based on resting HR, depression, and cognitive function during hospitalization (2-7 days after stroke) and 3 months later. The linear regression model was used to analyze the relationship between early measurement of HR and HRV and early and chronic depression and cognition after stroke. Results After adjustment of age, sex, the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores and lesion volume at admission, the scores of Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) at early stage were significantly associated with mean heart rate per minute (mHR), Ln (RMSSD), and Ln (LF) (P<0.05). SADQ-10 scores was significantly correlated with Ln (RMSSD) and Ln (HF) (P<0.05). The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score was significantly correlated with mHR, Ln (RMSSD), Ln (HF) and Ln (LF/HF) (P<0.05). The global z-score of depression were significantly correlated with mHR, Ln(RMSSD), Ln(LF), Ln(HF), and Ln(LF/HF) (P<0.05). There was no significant correlation between MoCA score and any HR parameters. At three months of follow-up, BDI-II score was significantly correlated with Ln (LF) (P<0.05), and MoCA score was significantly correlated with mHR, Ln(RMSSD), Ln(LF) and Ln(HF) (P<0.05). Conclusions High mHR, low HRV, and high sympathovagal balance in early stage after stroke may be the markers of higher vulnerability to develop poststroke depression and cognitive impairment.