1Asst Professor, Department of Physiology, KBNIMS, Kalaburgi, Karnataka, India
2Associate Professor, Department of Physiology, Pushpagiri Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Thiruvalla, Kerala
*Corresponding author: Dr Imtiaz Ali Asst. Professor, Dept. of Physiology, Khaja Bandanawaz Institute of Medical Sciences Kalaburgi-585104. Karnataka E mail: dr_imtiazroshan@yahoo.co.in
Online published on 2 August, 2016.
obesity is one of the rising problem in present world and one of the parameter which reflects this is body mass index. The effect of autonomic nervous system on heart and its relation to body mass is an aempt to look in the problem with new solutions in it. The study was designed to find correlation of BMI to HRV in young healthy subjects.
50 each male and female subjects in age group of 18–25 were randomly recruited in medical college. BMI of subjects was calculated using formula body weight divided by the square of the height (kg/m2), was used as a marker of obesity. BMI < 25 kg/m2non-obese, 25–30 kg/m2 as overweight and >30 kg/m2as obese. In the supine position systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and pulse rate were recorded and continuous standard lead II ECG was recorded for five minutes in eyes closed relaxed state. The data was later computed and analyzed automatically using the software ECG V; 52. Comparisons between groups were performed using analysis of variance. Nonparametric variables are presented as number and percentage, and associations between analyzed parameters were examined using Spearman's correlation coefficient
A statistically significant correlation of BMI, heart rate and systolic blood pressure among the groups was observed but diastolic blood pressure was not significant. The mean value of time domain as well as frequency domain measures of heart rate variability decreases as BMI increases but statistical significance could not be established when compared between the groups. In frequency domain parameters BMI is negatively correlated to all parameters except to LF/HF ratio where we noticed positive correlation between BMI and time domain variables.
In conclusion our study suggests that increased body weight is associated with decreased heart rate variability and body mass index has a significant correlation with heart rate variability. Autonomic nervous system help in identifying subjects at risk of cardiovascular disease and precautions are taken early in life like dietary or physical training to keep body weight in control would help in maintaining a balanced output by autonomic nervous system.
Heart rate variability, body mass index, Autonomic nervous system
