OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of magnetic storms on heart rate variability (HRV) and the predicted risk of stroke in patients with somatoform autonomic dysfunction (SAD).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study included 141 patients with SAD (80 with persistent type, 61 with paroxysmal type) and 67 healthy subjects (control group) with a mean age of 45±1.2 years. The diagnosis was confirmed according to ICD-10 (F45.3). HRV was recorded using the apparatus for assessing the autonomic nervous system, and spectral characteristics and temporal (transient) HRV indicators were analyzed. Geomagnetic activity was assessed using the Kp-index of the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center, as well as the Geophysical Service of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

RESULTS

In patients with SAD, HRV rates were significantly reduced compared with controls, especially in those with the paroxysmal type. During magnetic storms (Kp>5), the standard deviation normal to normal (SDNN), the root mean square of standard deviation (RMSSD) between adjacent RR intervals, the high-frequency component (HF), and the low-frequency component (LF) were further reduced. The risk of stroke was 17.1% in patients with the paroxysmal type, 9.5% in those with the persistent type, and 7.5% in the control group. The correlation analysis revealed a negative association of SDNN and RMSSD with stroke risk (r=–0.995; r=–0.991) and a positive association of LF/HF with the risk (r=0.841).

CONCLUSION

Magnetic storms exacerbate autonomous imbalance and increase the predicted risk of stroke in patients with SAD, especially in those with paroxysmal type. Reducing HRV can serve as a reliable marker of vascular complications and justifies the need for preventive monitoring of meteosensitive patients.