A comparative study of cardiovascular autonomic functions in healthy urban postmenopausal women

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Original Article

Author Details : Anita Deshpande, Vijayeendra Kanabur, Sumangala Patil, Salim Dhundasi

Volume : 3, Issue : 3, Year : 2016

Article Page : 279-281

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Abstract

Background and Objectives: Menopause marks the period of many changes in women. The risk of cardiovascular disease increases after menopause. The autonomic nervous system responsible for control of many visceral functions is under the influence of female reproductive hormones. Hormonal changes after menopause bring alteration in these functions. This study was aimed to assess the physiological changes in the cardiovascular autonomic functions in healthy urban postmenopausal women.
Material and Methods: 72 healthy women were chosen for the study. They were divided into 2 groups of 36each, control group (premenopausal) and Study group (postmenopausal).
The parasympathetic function tests included the Heart rate response to postural change (30:15 ratio) heart rate variation during deep breathing(I-E difference), Heart rate response to valsalva maneuver (VR) and the sympathetic function tests like the blood pressure response to the Isometric handgrip (IHG) and the Blood pressure response to standing (BPS) were done in the control  and study  subjects.
Results: By the student ‘t’ test, we found the significant difference in  mean of the heart rate response to deep breathing, the 30:15 ratio, the valsalva ratio and the IHG test, between premenopausal and postmenopausal women, with a ‘p’ value <0.05.
Conclusion: Autonomic function tests between premenopausal and postmenopausal women showed significant changes. The parasympathetic activity was reduced, sympathetic activity was increased in postmenopausal women.

Keywords: Menopause, Cardiovascular autonomic functions

How to cite : Deshpande A, Kanabur V, Patil S, Dhundasi S, A comparative study of cardiovascular autonomic functions in healthy urban postmenopausal women. Indian J Clin Anat Physiol 2016;3(3):279-281

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