Effect of parental hypertension on heart rate variability

Abstract

Background: Nowadays, pre-hypertension is common in young adults, especially children of hypertensive parents who are more prone to it. One of the earliest signs of hypertension is sympathovagal imbalance, which can be detected by heart rate variability (HRV) even at a subclinical stage. This study helps us to analyze HRV among the offspring of hypertensive and normotensive parents. Aims and Objectives: The objective is to compare and analyze HRV among offspring of hypertensive parents and normotensive parents. Materials and Methods: 60 healthy young adolescent males (age 18–20 years) were involved in the study. Out of which 30 are offspring of hypertensive parents, 30 are offspring of non-hypertensive parents. HRVs were recorded. Results were tabulated and analyzed by the student “t” test. Results: Low-to-high frequency (LF/HF) ratio, normalized high frequency (HFnu), and normalized low frequency (LFnu) values were compared between offspring of hypertensive parents and normotensive parents. It was found to be significant by the student “t” test [“P” < 0.05]. Conclusion: In my study, an increased LF/HF ratio and LFnu and decreased HFnu were noted in the offspring of hypertensive parents. It denotes a sympathovagal imbalance. The autonomic nervous system can be accurately assessed by HRV, which is helpful for the early diagnosis of hypertension. Early diagnosis of hypertension in high-risk people using HRV is helpful to avoid further cardiovascular and cerebrovascular complications.