Physical activity, heart rate variability and ventricular arrhythmia during the COVID-19 lockdown: A retrospective cohort study
ABSTRACT
Background:
Lockdown measures to contain the COVID-19 pandemic were imposed on many populations in March 2020. Instituting these measures was not associated with increased implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) therapies due to ventricular tachycardia in many jurisdictions. The mechanism for this has not been elucidated.
Objective:
To report changes in heart rate variability (HRV) and physical activity in ICD patients at the onset of COVID-19 lockdown measures in Ontario, Canada.
Methods:
All ICD patients at a large regional cardiac center in Ontario, Canada with data on HRV and physical activity between March 1 and 31st 2020 were included. When available, data on HRV and physical activity in 2019 was determined. Changes in HRV and physical activity in the pre- and lockdown periods were determined. Stepwise regression was used to determine predictors of change in HRV and physical activity in this population.
Results:
HRV was unchanged during the pre and post lockdown period (91±30msec vs. 92±28msec; p=0.84) whereas physical activity was reduced (2.3±1.6hrs vs. 2.1±1.6hrs; p=0.003). HRV in 2019 was associated with a lower value for HRV during the 2020 lockdown period. The lack of beta-blocker use was associated with increase physical activity during the 2020 lockdown period.
Conclusions:
During the COVID-19 pandemic HRV was unchanged and physical activity reduced in ICD patients. These findings may explain the lack of increased ventricular arrhythmias noted in certain jurisdictions during the initial period of the COVID-19 pandemic. Clinical Trial: Not applicable
Citation
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