Predict Sarcopenia Risk in the Elderly by Cardiovascular Function and Heart Rate Variability

Abstract

Objectives: Preventing and slowing sarcopenia in older people has become an important health issue. Heart rate variability reflects autonomic nervous system balance, and along with cardiovascular function, can indicate potential sarcopenia risk by signaling disruptions in muscle-supporting blood flow and autonomic control. Our objective was to collect simple and non-invasive cardiovascular function measurements and heart rate variability parameters to develop a model for predicting sarcopenia risk. Methods: We conducted a 3-minute cardiovascular function and heart rate variability test and sarcopenia screening (appendicular skeletal muscle index, grip strength, and walking speed) on 418 participants (105 males, 313 females, mean age 73.32±8.81 years) recruited from central Taiwan. Results: Appendicular skeletal muscle index, grip strength, walking speed, cardiovascular function, and heart rate variability had a significant correlation. The key features for predicting sarcopenia risk with logistic regression analysis were age, reflection index, dicrotic elasticity index, and high-frequency power (the overall accuracy was 70.10%; sensitivity was 81.30%; specificity was 54.07%). Conclusions: Simple and non-invasive 3-minute cardiovascular function and heart rate variability test parameters significantly predict sarcopenia risk in older people. This model can be applied to technology devices to detect sarcopenia risk and prevent sarcopenia in older people.