Abstract 11839: Obesity Related Heart Rate Changes among Young Hispanic Women with Metabolic Syndrome

Abstract

Introduction: Visceral adiposity and metabolic syndrome have an earlier onset among Hispanic women due to genetic susceptibility. This study aimed to determine the association between changes in BMI, body weight and heart rate (HR) among Hispanic women aged 31-49years who met the ATP III criteria for metabolic syndrome and Obesity. Hypotheses: 1. There is a positive relationship between changes in BMI and Basal Heart rate 2. Patients with higher BMI will have a higher heart rate. Methods: In this retrospective study conducted in a community clinic, patient records meeting eligibility criteria were screened for three complete readings of anthropometric measurements and Vital signs. The readings taken when the patients had elevated temperature, respiratory rate, Blood pressure or when they were on Beta blockers were excluded. Final sample consisted of 61 records. Results: The sample BMI varied from 25 to 55 (Mean 34; SD 6) and the body weight ranged from 118lbs to 282lbs (Mean 188lbs; SD 35). The BMI change was between -4 to +4 (mean 1.15; SD 1.6), body weight change was from-30lbs to 22lbs (Mean 6.08 and SD 8.7) and the HR varied from -12 to 25 (mean 4.76; SD 8.38) Over 34 months. First hypothesis was accepted because Spearman Rho showed a significant positive correlation (r.298 p<.05) between changes in BMI and HR and between changes in body weight and HR (r.304 p<.05). A BMI change of one point raised the heart rate by 2beats/minute or 120beats/ hour accounting for 2,880 times/day. There was a no significant correlation between BMI and HR at all three data points leading reject the second hypothesis and conclude that the patients with highest BMI may not have the highest HR. Conclusions: The data showed that patients with metabolic syndrome and obesity suffer significant sympathetic stimulation raising basal HR, even when their blood pressure is controlled causing deleterious effect on already compromised heart with hypertension and atherosclerosis in metabolic syndrome. Patients with highest BMI may not have the highest HR due to failure to evoke an adequate sympathetic response and autonomic neuropathy signaling progressive chronic illnesses.