Spectral Analysis of Heart Rate Variability during Passive Standing after Ethanol Ingestion

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate cardiovascular regulation during passive standing (PS) after ethanol ingestion by spectral analysis of heart rate variability (HRV) in flushed and nonflushed subjects. Of 24 young male subjects, 8 belonged to flushed group (F) and 16 to nonflushed group (NF). Two sessions of 10-min PS were performed before and after ethanol (0.5 g/kg) ingestion. Powers of R-R interval variability in very low frequency $(VLF,\;0{\sim}0.05\;Hz),$ low frequency $(LF,\;0.05{\sim}0.15\;Hz)$ and high frequency $(HF,\;0.15{\sim}0.50\;Hz)$ bands, normalized powers (LFn and HFn) and LF/HF ratio were obtained. After ethanol ingestion, F showed higher heart rate than NF. PS increased LFn $(+22.9{\pm}3.6\;in\;NF,\;+12.8{\pm}4.7$ in F, in normalized units) and LF/HF $(+3.10{\pm}0.57\;in\;NF,\;+3.00{\pm}1.08\;in\;F)$ and decreased HFn powers. Ethanol ingestion increased LFn and LF/HF and decreased HFn. PS after ethanol resulted in higher LFn and LF/HF and lower HFn than the prior PS. F showed a greater and more sustained HRV change than NF after ethanol. In conclusion, PS or ethanol ingestion increased LFn and LF/HF and decreased HFn. Flushed subjects showed an accentuated HRV response to ethanol.