Waist-hip ratio and cardiac responses to exercise in young adults with parental history of coronary heart disease

Abstract

Background: Coronary heart disease (CHD) has become a major health challenge in India in 21st century. Family history is a major risk factor for CHD which strongly predisposes to atherosclerotic process at a younger age. The purpose of the study was to assess whether the parental history of CHD had any influence on waist-hip ratio (WHR) and cardiac responses to exercise in young adults aged 18-30 years. Aims and Objective: (1) The aim of the study is to measure the WHR and assess cardiac responses to exercise in young adults with parental history of CHD. (2) To compare the WHR and cardiac responses to exercise with the control group without parental history of CHD. Materials and Methods: Comparative study was conducted including 100 individuals with age group of 18-30 years. Study group included 50 individuals with parental history of CHD. Control group included 50 individuals without parental history of CHD. WHR was measured in both groups. Heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP) were recorded at rest. As per the Modified Bruce protocol, individuals performed submaximal exercise on treadmill. HR and BP were recorded during exercise and post-exercise recovery. The results were statistically analyzed. Results: Control group had excellent WHR (male < 0.85, female < 0.75, P = 0.05) than study group. There was no significant change in HR and BP at rest in both groups. During post-exercise recovery, systolic BP was higher 1 min (P < 0.001) and 5 min (P = 0.006) after exercise in study group. Moreover, HR recovery was delayed (P < 0.001) in study group as compared to control group. Conclusion: Young adults with parental history of CHD showed increased WHR and delayed recovery of HR and BP after exercise. Awareness has to be created in offspring of CHD patients regarding future risk of CHD. They must be advised to maintain ideal weight and cardiorespiratory fitness by regular physical exercise.