Heart Rate Variability in overweight individuals

Abstract

Aim:To assess the influence of Body Mass Index(BMI)on autonomic function using short term Heart Rate Variability(HRV) test. Results: The HRV values were significantly reduced in overweight individuals. (SDNN p<0.05; RMSSD ,p<0.01 ;NN50 p<0.01 ; pNN50 ,p< 0.01 ; LF, p<0.05 ; HF ,p<0.01; LF/HF , p<0.01) , compared to healthy controls. Conclusion: This study demonstrates the possibility of autonomic dysfunction in asymptomatic overweight individuals. Limitation in the present study is that the correlation of HRV with visceral fat and the influence of ethnicity on BMI were not studied. More prospective studies in this regard are required to validate this inference.