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Analysis Study Research Paper | Physiology | India | Volume 11 Issue 2, February 2022

A Comparative Study of Heart Rate Variability between Young Premenopausal and Postmenopausal Female Medical Professionals at Rest Using Frequency Domain Spectral Components

Dr. Anuradha Upadhyay ^[2] | Dr. Manila Jain ^[2]

Abstract: Background: Heart rate variability (HRV) is a non-invasive index of cardiac autonomic modulation. Menopause causes poor sympathovagal balance that shifts toward sympathetic hyperactivity. Present study compared HRV between young premenopausal and postmenopausal medical professional women at rest using frequency domain spectral components. Materials and Methods: It was a comparative, cross-sectional, observational study. After obtaining ethics committee approval, the study population divided into two groups as per inclusion and exclusion criteria. One group included 40 young premenopausal women aged 18-24 years and the other group included 40 postmenopausal women aged 45-55 years. The power spectrum density for the HRV was calculated in frequency domain by the traditional Fast Fourier transform (FFT) based method. Results: 'Total Power' was significantly lower (p-value< 0.001) in postmenopausal women (917.89+647.67 ms2) as compared to young premenopausal women (4900.82+2876.29 ms2). 'LF Power' was significantly higher in postmenopausal women (693.14+271.21 ms2) as compared to young premenopausal women (141.60+107.49 ms2). 'HF Power' was significantly higher in young premenopausal women (1186.65+783.73 ms2) as compared to postmenopausal women (134.97+109.85 ms2). 'LF/HF ratio' was significantly higher in postmenopausal women (8.95+2.47) as compared to young premenopausal women (0.22+0.14). Serum estradiol level was significantly lower in postmenopausal women while 'body fat percentage' was significantly higher in postmenopausal women. Conclusion: Postmenopausal women have overall reduced parasympathetic drive and poor sympathovagal balance. Further, decreased level of serum estradiol and increased body fat percentage indicates sympathetic predominance that may lead to higher risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in postmenopausal women.

Keywords: Heart rate variability, Sympathovagal balance, Total Power, LF HF ratio

Edition: Volume 11 Issue 2, February 2022,

Pages: 1285 - 1290

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