Parameters of the autonomic nervous system and their interpretation in patients after acute myocardial infarction

Abstract

In cardiovascular diseases, including coronary heart disease (CHD) and myocardial infarction (MI), there are pronounced changes in the myocardium and the associated reconfiguration of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) of the heart. This leads to the damage to both sympathetic and parasympathetic regulatory influences. Great attention is paid to activation of the sympathoadrenal system and a decrease in the activity of the parasympathetic division of the ANS, associated both with an increase in the general adaptation syndrome and with a major restructuring of the myocardium, which indicates an increase in electrical instability, a tendency to dangerous cardiac arrhythmias and an increased risk of cardiac death. ANS disorders lead to the damage to the parasympathetic and sympathetic systems. A disorder in the latter causes such complications as orthostatic tachycardia, changes in heart rate, anxiety disorders, panic attacks resembling, and sleep disturbance. Coronary heart disease is one of the predisposing factors for the occurrence of autonomic dysfunction.