Midlife women with increased anxiety and depressive symptoms may have an unfavorable cardiac autonomic profile with potential implications for their overall cardiovascular (CV) risk, a recent study suggests. Anxiety and depressive symptoms were evaluated by validated self-administered questionnaires among perimenopausal and postmenopausal women in a randomized trial of slow-paced respiration for hot flashes. Pre-ejection period (PEP) and respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA), were measured at baseline and 12 weeks using impedance cardiography and electrocardiography. Researchers found:

• Among 121 participants, greater state anxiety was associated with shorter PEP, reflecting higher sympathetic activity.
• Greater trait anxiety and cognitive anxiety were associated with lower RSA, reflecting decreased parasympathetic activity.
• Greater depressive symptoms were associated with lower RSA.