Effect of obesity on sympathovagal activities in hypertensive Indian population

Abstract

Summary: Decreased physical activity, increased psychosocial stress and work stress have contributed to the increased prevalence of obesity and Hypertension (HTN). Irrespective of the aetiology, sympathetic over activity has been recognized as the main pathophysiologic mechanism in the genesis of obesity and HTN. Sympathovagal imbalance or dysregulation of autonomic functions owing to sympathetic over activity and vagal withdrawal is reported to be the basis of many clinical disorders. Obesity, hypertension and diabetes mellitus are known to be associated with dysregulation of autonomic functions independently. Heart Rate Variability (HRV) has emerged as a practical, non-invasive tool to quantitatively investigate cardiac autonomic dysregulation. The present study was undertaken to ascertain whether obesity has any effect on further disruption of autonomic functions particularly in hypertensive patients. A total of 96 male and female adults aged between 40-50 years visiting the Primary Health Centre, Yelwala, Mysuru district, India were recruited for this study. They were grouped in to 3 (n=32) as Groups I (Obese hypertensive), II (non-obese hypertensive) and II (non-obese normotensive, control), HRV was determined using the One minute during deep breathing method. Data were presented as Mean ± SD, inferential statistics was by One Way ANOVA and Tukey’s Post Hoc test p value <0.005 at ^α0.05 HRV was significantly decreased in obese hypertensive patients compared to the non-obese hypertensive patients. Our present study supports that obesity and hypertension probably has additive effect in causing autonomic dysregulation.

Keywords: Autonomic functions, HRV, Hypertension, Obesity