Longevity & AgingAnxiety Shrinks Heart Rate Variability — Genes and Wearables Confirm the Link
Researchers combined Fitbit wearable data, whole-genome sequencing, and electronic health records from 920 All of Us participants to study how anxiety affects pulse rate variability (PRV). A higher genetic risk score for anxiety was independently linked to lower SDANN — a key PRV metric reflecting autonomic nervous system control. Several antidepressants, including venlafaxine, bupropion, SSRIs, SNRIs, and tricyclics, also reduced PRV independently. Mendelian randomization analysis supported a causal effect of anxiety on reduced PRV. These findings matter because wearable-derived PRV is increasingly used for stress detection and mental health screening, and understanding what drives PRV changes is critical to interpreting those signals accurately.
