Alcoholism, clinical and experimental research
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Alcohol. Clin. Exp. Res. · Jan 2013
Meta AnalysisA meta-analysis on the impact of alcohol dependence on short-term resting-state heart rate variability: implications for cardiovascular risk.
Alcohol dependence is associated with an increased likelihood of cardiac events. Reductions in heart rate variability (HRV) may be one mechanism linking dependence with these events. HRV may also be related to poor social functioning and the lack of impulse control commonly observed in alcohol-dependent individuals. However, prior studies on the impact of alcohol dependence on HRV have reported contradictory findings highlighting the need for a meta-analysis. ⋯ Alcohol dependence is associated with reduced HRV, an effect associated with a medium effect size. Findings highlight the importance of monitoring alcohol-dependent patients for cardiac disease and emphasize the need for cardiovascular risk reduction strategies in these patients.