DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2017.v05i03.003

Pages: 699-703

Hypertension involves almost all the systems of body, predominantly affecting ANS which controls involuntary aspects of body functions. When CVS is affected, it may lead to myocardial infarction, and cardiac failure which may ultimately lead to death. The onset and severity of complication in a system is said to be dependent on the duration of hypertension and the degree of its control. Autonomic dysfunction is drawing more and more attention of the medical fraternity for its supposed role in sudden deaths observed in hypertensive and diabetics. Further objective evaluation of autonomic disorder is becoming imminent both for prevention of such catastrophes and also better control of diseases. Our aim is to perform the autonomic function tests namely Valsalva ratio, E/I ratio during deep breathing. The study was programmed to assess autonomic functions based on cardiovascular parameters like blood pressure and heart rate measurement. Among the autonomic function tests discussed in the review of literature, following four tests were selected to evaluate autonomic function after considering the availability of equipments, feasibility and cost effectiveness. There was significant reduction in valsalva ratio in hypertensive group in comparison to the normotensive group. The change in E/I ratio and HR variation was statistically not significant. Increase in mean systolic BP and mean diastolic BP is less in hypertensive group in comparison to normotensive group. Unlike borderline hypertension where there is an increase in sympathetic drive and decrease in parasympathetic tone, in our study sympathetic drive is definitely less. The changes we have found could be attributed to both sympathetic and parasympathetic dysfunction or autonomic imbalance or increase in vascular resistance.