Evaluation of Autonomic Dysfunction in Obese and Non- Obese Hypertensive Subjects

INTRODUCTION: Obesity and more specifically, visceral obesity, has been consistently associated with hypertension and increased cardiovascular risk. Epidemiological studies indicate that at least two-third of the prevalence of hypertension can be directly attributed to obesity. Studies also suggest that hypertensive patients have impaired cardiac autonomic function. AIM: The objective of the study was to examine any added effects of obesity on cardiac autonomic dysfunction in hypertensive patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Hypertensive subjects (n=45) between 35-60 years of age were divided into two groups; Group A (n=30) consisted of non-obese hypertensive subjects and Group B (n=15) consisted of obese (BMI≥30kg/m(2)) hypertensive subjects. Cardiac autonomic function was assessed using four tests - Heart rate response to immediate standing (30:15 ratio), standing to lying ratio (S/L ratio), Blood pressure response to immediate standing and Cold Pressor Test (CPT). RESULTS: There were no significant differences for autonomic function tests between obese and non-obese hypertensive subjects (p >0.05). CONCLUSION: The results showed that there are no significant differences in the cardiac autonomic function responses between obese and non-obese hypertensive subjects.