Annals of behavioral medicine : a publication of the Society of Behavioral Medicine
The physiological cost of coping: a systematic review and meta-analysis on discrimination and heart rate variability
By Salvo G, Bomarsi D, Laghi F and 4 others.
Abstract
Background
Heart rate variability (HRV) reflects parasympathetic regulation and is typically associated with better health outcomes. However, minoritized populations, particularly African Americans, show a paradoxical pattern of higher resting HRV despite greater cardiovascular risk, a phenomenon known as the Cardiovascular Conundrum. Discrimination has been proposed as a key mechanism, but evidence remains fragmented.
Methods
The present meta-analysis quantified HRV in relation to discrimination across 3 domains: (1) resting HRV differences between minoritized and majority groups, (2) HRV reactivity to discrimination-related tasks, and (3) the association between perceived discrimination and resting HRV. A systematic search yielded 40 articles comprising 52 independent studies.