Re: Coronary Arterty Disease & Depression

We are in the midst of a study comparing Stress Management Education (8 classes) to Meditation and Tai Chi on Heart Rate Variablity in Pts with Coronary Artery Disease. We are looking at their ability to handle a stressor, as well as changes in baseline HRV.

The functional "mechanism" seems to do with the heart's adaptability to daily stress. HRV is also called RSA or Respiratory Sinus Arhythmia, since the HR should increase after an inhale and slow down after an exhale. Type-A, stressed, and deconditioned persons have reduced HRV. This is the best predictor of Sudden Cardiac Death, even beating out the ol standard of Treadmill ECG (Blumenthal et al).

But the platelet theory should not be ruled out just yet! It probably plays a very important role as well. The pump is only as good as the pipes it uses to distribute the fluids.

Replies:

Re: Coronary Arterty Disease & Depression, by John Martin, 7/17/99 Re: Coronary Arterty Disease & Depression, by Rob Feinstein M.D., 7/23/99 Re: Coronary Arterty Disease & Depression, by Jim Spira, 7/24/99 Re: Coronary Arterty Disease & Depression, by John Martin, 7/27/99 Re: anxiety order& Depression, by linda frey, 02/14/02

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