Evaluation of Effects of Age on Parasympathetic Status in North Indian Subjects

It has been claimed that an appropriate sympatho-parasympathetic balance is necessary for proper regulation of cardiovascular and other important reflexes. Any sympatho-parasympaathetic imbalance may predispose the subject to cardiovascular and metabolic complications like angina pectoris, hypertension, metabolic syndrome etc. It may also increases susceptibility for cardiovascular emergencies like acute myocardial infarction, stroke etc.

It has been postulated that decline in parasympathetic tone with age may lead to sympatho-parasympathetic imbalance in geriatric subjects. We have assessed parasympathetic tone of healthy subjects (all three age groups young, middle age and elderly) using a battery of parasympathetic function tests. Our results show persistent decline of parasympathetic tone with age.

A lot of research work has been done on this topic in the recent past but different researchers inferred different conclusions. This is also an important reason to further explore this topic.

It is claimed that some regular maneuvers (like yoga, meditation, deep breathing exercise etc.) can delay decline in parasympathetic status. Thus it can be postulated that by doing these regular maneuvers many complications of old age can be avoided.