Abstract
Objective: To build a systematic literature review about the associations between heart rate variability and metabolic syndrome. Methods: Articles were systematically searched in the PubMed, Google Scholar, Lilacs and Cochrane databases, with the keywords "metabolic syndrome" AND "heart rate variability" AND “insulin resistance”. Inclusion criteria used were: 1. Study in humans; 2. Patients over 18 years old; 3. Who have diagnostic criteria for WHO metabolic syndrome, NCEP-ATPIII or IDF; 4. With control group; 5. Patients do not have other comorbidities; 6. That correlate metabolic syndrome and heart rate variability. Languages chosen were English, Portuguese, and Spanish. Results: Eight studies met the inclusion criteria. In patients with metabolic syndrome, heart rate variability was more often reduced, accentuating in women and in patients with more diagnostic criteria, and is directly associated with insulin resistance. Final considerations: Heart rate variability is heterogeneously affected between men and women with metabolic syndrome. In addition, HRV analysis proved to be a simple and effective tool that provides an assessment and identification of health impairments and, therefore, studies on the topic are of paramount importance.