STUDY OF AUTONOMIC FUNCTIONS IN NORMOTENSIVE YOUNG ADULTS OF HYPERTENSIVE PARENTS

DR. P. SUBASH BABU; DR. SUDHARANI AUDIMULAPU

Volume : VI, Issue : VI, June - 2016

STUDY OF AUTONOMIC FUNCTIONS IN NORMOTENSIVE YOUNG ADULTS OF HYPERTENSIVE PARENTS

Dr. P. Subash Babu, Dr. Sudharani Audimulapu

Abstract :

 Essential hypertension is a major health hazard in developed and developing countries.Essential hypertension, if left undetected and untreated can lead to cardiovascular abnormalities with increased risk of morbidity and mortality. This study was undertaken to evaluate the autonomic functions in normotensive children of hypertensive parents with the following objectives .To assess the possible alteration of autonomic functions . The earliest age at which these alterations are detected.This study was carried out on 33 normotensive children of normotensive parents and 33 normotensive children of hypertensive parents in the age group of 17 to 25 years. Autonomic functions were evaluated by standardized methods. Heart rate response to standing, deep eathing and Valsalva maneuver were done to measure the parasympathetic function. Sympathetic function was assessed by blood pressure response to standing, isometric exercise and cold pressor test. The values obtained were expressed as Mean ± SEM and was compared by using student `t´ test. The heart rate response to standing for cases and controls were 1.14 ± 0.21 and 1.3 ± 0.21, to deep eathing were 18.02 ± 9.5 and 39.14 ± 4.85, and to Valsalva maneuver were 1.29 ± 0.27 and 1.41 ± 0.19 respectively. The difference between cases and controls was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The blood pressure response to isometric exercise was significantly higher in cases compared to controls There was a demonstrable alteration in the autonomic function. There was reduced parasympathetic response coupled with enhanced sympathetic response resulting in sympathetic predominance