Heart Rate Variability in Patients with Mild and Asymptomatic COVID-19

Andrew Awuah Wireko, Abdul-Rahman Toufik and Albina Zharkova
Wireko Andrew Awuah-Sumy State University

Abstract

Introduction: While most people with COVID-19 have mild or no symptoms, even patients with mild infection should be inspected attentively to reveal possible complications timely. Among such probable mild symptoms can be named heart rate variability. Materials and methods. 39 patients of Sumy Primary Care center #1 with mild and asymptomatic COVID-19 were enrolled in the study. Control group included patients with similar symptoms but negative COVID-19 test results. The COVID-19 diagnosis was verified with polymerase chain reaction. Patients have been subjected to physical examination, blood tests, 12-lead ECG with heart rate variability measure. Results. It was detected that the averages of normal-to-normal (NN) intervals (SDANN), root mean square differences of successive NN intervals (RMSSD), heart rate, and low-frequency (LF) power–high-frequency (HF) power ratio were significantly higher in group with confirmed COVID-19 (p<0.05). We also found that a gain in the LF/HF power ratio was statistically linked to a decrease of blood magnesium level (18.6%, p<0.05). It was detected that HRV could be controlled by treatment with magnesium supplements 100 mg/day(p<0.05), but more precise results require longer observation. Conclusion. Hence, COVID-19 can cause changes of heart rate variability, which requires further investigation of possible long-term consequences and approaches to correction.


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