Upper body and visceral obesity in obese postmenopausal women were associated with significantly higher cardiac sympathetic and parasympathetic activity compared to lower body and subcutaneous obesity.
Cross-Sectional (n=16)
Does regional body fat distribution affect cardiac autonomic function in obese postmenopausal women?
Cardiac autonomic function varies depending on regional body fat distribution in obese postmenopausal women, with upper body and visceral obesity associated with higher sympathetic and parasympathetic activity.
Obesity in humans has been associated with altered autonomic nervous system activity. The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between autonomic function and body fat distribution in 16 obese, postmenopausal women using power spectrum analysis of heart rate variability. Using this technique, a low frequency peak (0.04-0.12 Hz) reflecting mixed sympathetic and parasympathetic activity, and a high frequency peak (0.22-0.28 Hz) reflecting parasympathetic activity, were identified from 5-minute consecutive heart rate data (both supine and standing). Autonomic activity in upper body (UBO) vs. lower body obesity (LBO)(by waist-to-hip ratio) and subcutaneous vs. visceral obesity (by CT scan) was evaluated. Power spectrum data were log transformed to normalize the data. The results showed that standing, low-frequency power (reflecting sympathetic activity) and supine, high-frequency power (reflecting parasympathetic activity) were significantly greater in UBO than in LBO, and in visceral compared to subcutaneous obesity. Women with combined UBO and visceral obesity had significantly higher cardiac sympathetic and parasympathetic activity than any other subgroup. We conclude that cardiac autonomic function as assessed by heart rate spectral analysis varies in women depending on their regional body fat distribution.
Gao et al. (Mon,) conducted a cross-sectional in Obesity (n=16). Upper body and visceral obesity vs. Lower body and subcutaneous obesity was evaluated on Autonomic function assessed by power spectrum analysis of heart rate variability (low and high frequency peaks). Upper body and visceral obesity in obese postmenopausal women were associated with significantly higher cardiac sympathetic and parasympathetic activity compared to lower body and subcutaneous obesity.
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