Cardiac pacing
Cardiac pacing has been studied in 4 papers since 2022: 2 trials and 1 observational study in people, 1 review; 1 in the past year. The newest paper, Oct 20, 2026: “Long-Term Effects of Paced Heart Rate on Central Blood Pressure in Patients with Sinus Node Dysfunction and Hypertension: A Randomised Crossover Study”.
4 papers study it5 findingsUpdated
1 new paper in 30 daysSee all 4 papers on cardiac pacing
At a glance
The findings reach people, from one lab or study. 2 independent labs in 2 countries.
“At DDD 55 bpm, central systolic BP (primary outcome) was higher than at DDD 75 bpm”
None of its findings points the other way.
- 2 independent labs in 2 countries
- Funders: American Heart Association and 4 more
- Human trial2
- Humans1
Studies in people
2 studies gave cardiac pacing to people and measured what changed.
| What changed | Design | People | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
up: Increases central systolic blood pressure127.8 ± 13.4 versus 121.3 ± 10.6 mmHg at 55 versus 75 bpm; p = 0.04 | Randomized trialEight weeks per intervention period | 22 peopleBothMedian 76 years (IQR 73–78)Older adults; Permanently paced sinus node dysfunction with hypertension, in sinus rhythm and on antihypertensive medication | Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania), Oct 20, 2026 |
down: Decreases pulse pressure no change: Has no effect on systolic blood pressure | Trial5-minute intervals | 21 peopleNine patients were male, and 12 were femalemedian 77 years (range: 65-86 years)Patients with poor vascular compliance and dual-chamber pacemakers | CJC open, Nov 3, 2025 |
What did studies of cardiac pacing find?
3Studies of cardiac pacing measured 3 outcomes; the most studied are systolic blood pressure (1 study), pulse pressure (1) and central systolic blood pressure (1).
Systolic blood pressure
no changein humans1
1 study
Systolic blood pressure
no changein humans1
Cardiac pacing showed no clear effect on systolic blood pressure in humans.
“No significant changes occurred in DBP (P = 0.084), systolic blood pressure (P = 0.32) or cardiac index (P = 0.25) among the different paced HRs.”
Human trialn = 21
CJC open
Cardiac pacing showed no clear effect on systolic blood pressure in humans (dual-chamber permanent pacemakers and normal ventricular function) (P = 0.32).
“No significant changes were found in systolic blood pressure (P = 0.32), DBP (P = 0.08), or cardiac index (P = 0.25) among different HRs.”
Human trialdual-chamber permanent pacemakers and normal ventricular functionn = 21
CJC open
Pulse pressure
downin humans1
1 study
Pulse pressure
downin humans1
Cardiac pacing decreases pulse pressure in humans.
“Differences were significant in PP (P < 0.001) and stroke volume index (P < 0.001) among the different HRs.”
Human trialn = 21
CJC open
Cardiac pacing decreases pulse pressure in humans (dual-chamber permanent pacemakers and normal ventricular function) (71 mmHg at 60 bpm to 53 mmHg at 100 bpm).
“Increasing resting HR significantly reduced PP (p < 0.001) from a median of 71 mmHg at 60 bpm to 53 mmHg at 100 bpm.”
Human trialdual-chamber permanent pacemakers and normal ventricular functionn = 21
CJC open
Central systolic blood pressure
upin humans1
1 study
Central systolic blood pressure
upin humans1
Cardiac pacing increases central systolic blood pressure in humans (127.8 ± 13.4 versus 121.3 ± 10.6 mmHg at 55 versus 75 bpm; p = 0.04).
“At DDD 55 bpm, central systolic BP (primary outcome) was higher than at DDD 75 bpm”
Human trialPermanently paced sinus node dysfunction with hypertension, in sinus rhythm and on antihypertensive medicationDDD55 versus 75 bpmEight weeks per intervention period16 womensn = 22
Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania)
Funding
1 grant since 2019National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute$2.4M