Key result
Postmenopausal status is linked to higher sympathetic and lower parasympathetic activity, correlating with decreased estrogen.
Why the study?
Postmenopausal women are at risk of cardiovascular complications associated with alterations in autonomic nerve functions, but differences compared to perimenopausal women were not well characterized.
Cross-Sectional
The transition to menopause is associated with increased sympathetic and decreased parasympathetic autonomic tone, correlating with reduced estrogen levels, which may have implications for cardiovascular risk.
May elevate CV risk via autonomic imbalance in postmenopausal women; leaves open causal role and intervention targets.
Menopause is a normal aging phenomenon, which is characterized by the depletion of functional ovarian follicles that are responsible for estradiol production. Hormonal deficiency affects many metabolic and physiological functions within the women's body including cardiovascular system. Postmenopausal women are at risk of developing cardiovascular complication associated with alterations in autonomic nerve functions. Thus, this study was aimed to compare any significant deviations in autonomic functions in postmenopausal women with perimenopausal women. Healthy perimenopausal and postmenopausal women with the age group of 45-55yrs were selected for the study. Parameters like Orthostasis, Mean Arithmetic Mean, Corrected QT Interval for sympathetic functions and valsalva ratio, expiration inspiration ratio, 30: 15 ratio for parasympathetic functions are recorded. Serum estrogen was done for both the groups. By using student's t test, it was found that there was a significant increase in the sympathetic activity and reduced parasympathetic activity in postmenopausal women when compared to perimenopausal women. Sr.estrogen levels were also reduced in postmenopausal women. Parameters reflecting parasympathetic activity like valsalva ratio, 30: 15 ratio, E: I ratio showed positive correlation with Sr.estrogen level in postmenopausal women. There was a significant increase in the sympathetic activity and reduced parasympathetic activity in postmenopausal women due to decreased level of estrogen.
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Vijayalakshmi et al. (2018) conducted a cross-sectional in Menopause. Postmenopause vs. Perimenopause was evaluated on Autonomic functions (sympathetic and parasympathetic activity) and serum estrogen levels. Postmenopausal women exhibited significantly increased sympathetic activity and reduced parasympathetic activity compared to perimenopausal women, correlated with decreased serum estrogen levels.
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