DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2017.v05i04.041

Pages: 1425-1429

Essential hypertension is a 'silent killer' and a major health challenge in all countries of the World. The purpose of study was undertaken to identify early autonomic dysfunction in individuals with parental history of essential hypertension. Present study was conducted to determine differences in cardiovascular reactivity and recovery. Comparison was done between normotensive, young healthy offspring of hypertensive parents (40 cases) and normotensive parents (40 controls). Autonomic functions were assessed by RMS Digitized Polygraph Polyrite D Version 2.4 and analysis of signal was done in time and frequency domain measures. After recording baseline HRV (heart rate variability), HR (heart rate) and BP (blood pressure) subjects were asked to do isometric hand grip (IHG) test. HRV, BP and HR were recorded during the test and 5 minutes after completion of IHG. Comparison was done by paired and unpaired t test. Baseline HR was significantly more in male test group than control group. HR increased significantly during IHG in both control and test group but test group showed delayed recovery after 5 minutes of IHG. Increase in SBP was significantly more in male test group than male control group (p<0.05). SBP and DBP showed delayed recovery after 5 minutes of IHG in test groups. The study indicates the early existence of malfunctions in autonomic nervous system associated with increased risk of hypertension.