A reduced heart rate variability (HRV) is associated with worse prognosis, increased incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and mortality. There are conflicting results and a lack of population-based data regarding the association of HRV with CVD risk factors and its potential role as independent cause or mediator of CVD risk.
Institute of Medical Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Informatics, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Saale, Germany. Halina.greiser@medizin.uni-halle.de