Illustration of a heart intertwined with the vagus nerve, symbolizing improved cardiac health and autonomic balance.

Unlock Your Heart's Potential: How Vagus Nerve Stimulation Can Improve Heart Health

Kai Mendoza in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"Discover the innovative approach of transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (LLTS) and how it offers new hope for individuals with diastolic dysfunction and preserved ejection fraction."

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a significant and growing public health concern, marked by increasing prevalence and hospitalizations. Despite having normal or near-normal left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction, patients with HFpEF experience high rates of morbidity and mortality, similar to those with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF).

Traditional treatments have shown limited success in improving outcomes for HFpEF patients, highlighting the need for new therapeutic strategies. Recent studies suggest that systemic inflammation and autonomic dysfunction—specifically, increased sympathetic nervous system activity and decreased parasympathetic activity—play crucial roles in the development of HFpEF.

Emerging research indicates that vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) can exert anti-adrenergic and anti-inflammatory effects, potentially restoring autonomic balance and improving cardiac function. A non-invasive method known as low-level transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (LLTS) has shown promise in restoring autonomic balance without causing bradycardia. This article explores how LLTS can positively impact heart health and revolutionize HFpEF treatment.

What is Low-Level Transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation (LLTS)?

Illustration of a heart intertwined with the vagus nerve, symbolizing improved cardiac health and autonomic balance.

Low-Level Transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation (LLTS) is a non-invasive technique that stimulates the vagus nerve through the skin. The vagus nerve, the longest cranial nerve in the body, plays a vital role in regulating various bodily functions, including heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, and immune response. By stimulating this nerve, LLTS aims to modulate autonomic balance and reduce inflammation.

LLTS is performed by applying a small electrical current to the tragus, the cartilaginous projection in front of the ear canal. This area is targeted because it is innervated by the auricular branch of the vagus nerve. The stimulation parameters, such as frequency and amplitude, are carefully adjusted to maximize therapeutic effects while minimizing discomfort.

Anti-Adrenergic Effects: Reduces the activity of the sympathetic nervous system, which can lower heart rate and blood pressure.
Anti-Inflammatory Effects: Helps to decrease the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, reducing systemic inflammation.
Restoration of Autonomic Balance: Re-establishes the balance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems, promoting overall cardiovascular health.

A study published in the Journal of Cardiovascular Translational Research investigated the acute effects of LLTS on left ventricular function and autonomic tone in patients with diastolic dysfunction and preserved LV ejection fraction. The study found that LLTS significantly improved LV global longitudinal strain and favorably altered heart rate variability, suggesting an improvement in cardiac mechanics and autonomic balance.

Looking Ahead: The Future of LLTS in Heart Health

The study's findings highlight the potential of LLTS as a novel therapeutic approach for HFpEF. By improving cardiac mechanics and restoring autonomic balance, LLTS offers new hope for individuals struggling with this condition. While these initial results are promising, further research is needed to fully understand the long-term benefits and optimal application of LLTS in HFpEF treatment. As we continue to explore the possibilities of neuromodulation, LLTS may pave the way for innovative and effective strategies to enhance heart health and improve the quality of life for millions.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1007/s12265-018-9853-6, Alternate LINK

Title: Autonomic Neuromodulation Acutely Ameliorates Left Ventricular Strain In Humans

Subject: Genetics (clinical)

Journal: Journal of Cardiovascular Translational Research

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Authors: Nicole Tran, Zain Asad, Khaled Elkholey, Benjamin J. Scherlag, Sunny S. Po, Stavros Stavrakis

Published: 2018-12-17

Everything You Need To Know

What is Low-Level Transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation (LLTS) and how does it work?

Low-Level Transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation (LLTS) is a non-invasive technique that stimulates the vagus nerve through the skin. The vagus nerve is the longest cranial nerve and regulates bodily functions like heart rate and blood pressure. LLTS involves applying a small electrical current to the tragus, the cartilaginous projection in front of the ear canal, which is innervated by the auricular branch of the vagus nerve. This stimulation aims to modulate autonomic balance and reduce inflammation, leading to potential improvements in heart health. The parameters of the electrical current, such as frequency and amplitude, are carefully adjusted to maximize therapeutic effects while minimizing discomfort.

What are the key benefits of Low-Level Transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation (LLTS) on heart health?

LLTS offers several key benefits. It exerts Anti-Adrenergic Effects, reducing the activity of the sympathetic nervous system, which can lower heart rate and blood pressure. It also has Anti-Inflammatory Effects, helping to decrease the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, thus reducing systemic inflammation. Furthermore, LLTS aids in the Restoration of Autonomic Balance by re-establishing the equilibrium between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems, ultimately promoting overall cardiovascular health. These effects collectively contribute to improving cardiac function and offering a new therapeutic approach for conditions like HFpEF.

How does LLTS address the underlying causes of Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF)?

HFpEF is often linked to systemic inflammation and autonomic dysfunction. LLTS tackles these issues directly. It has anti-inflammatory effects by reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines. Moreover, by stimulating the vagus nerve, LLTS helps restore autonomic balance. It reduces the overactivity of the sympathetic nervous system while enhancing the parasympathetic nervous system's function. This modulation of the autonomic nervous system and the reduction in inflammation are critical because they counteract the pathological processes that contribute to HFpEF's development and progression.

What were the key findings of the study on Low-Level Transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation (LLTS) and its impact on cardiac function?

The study published in the Journal of Cardiovascular Translational Research showed that LLTS significantly improved left ventricular (LV) global longitudinal strain, suggesting an improvement in cardiac mechanics. Additionally, the study observed a favorable alteration in heart rate variability, indicating an improvement in autonomic balance. These findings highlight the potential of LLTS to improve cardiac mechanics and restore autonomic balance in patients with diastolic dysfunction and preserved LV ejection fraction.

What is the future outlook for Low-Level Transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation (LLTS) in treating heart conditions like HFpEF?

The initial results of LLTS are promising, offering a new therapeutic approach for HFpEF. The ability of LLTS to improve cardiac mechanics and restore autonomic balance gives hope for individuals struggling with this condition. However, further research is needed to fully understand the long-term benefits and optimal application of LLTS in HFpEF treatment. As research progresses, LLTS may pave the way for innovative and effective strategies to enhance heart health and improve the quality of life for many. Future studies will help refine the application of LLTS, potentially leading to wider adoption and improved outcomes for patients with heart conditions.