A Cross-Sectional Study of Sympathetic Response in Young Normotensive Indian Population
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48047/Keywords:
Sympathetic Response, Handgrip test, Cold pressor test, Blood pressure, Heart rate.Abstract
Background and Objectives: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk has long been associated with sympathetic activation, with a notable gender difference in its incidence, favouring women over men. However, the influence of gender on sympathetic response has remained a topic of investigation. The primary objective of our study was to examine whether there is a gender disparity in sympathetic response.
Materials and Methods: We conducted a study involving 200 study subjects whose age and
BMI matched, 102 females, and 98 males aged 17-22 years. We recorded the response to cold
pressor test and isometric handgrip tests to assess sympathetic haemodynamic response in the study subjects.
Results: Women demonstrated lower sympathetic reactivity to both cold pressor and isometric
handgrip tests compared to men. These differences were statistically significant (p value < 0.05).
Conclusion: Women have lower sympathetic reactivity compared to men. These differences
stem from variations in central and reflex control mechanisms, as well as reduced vasoconstrictor responsiveness. These findings may contribute to the lower incidence of
cardiovascular events in women compared to men, shedding light on the intricate relationship
between gender and cardiovascular health.
