Hypertension (HT) has been known since times immemorial to be one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality. It contributes to atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, increasing its risk 2-3 times and is also associated with dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, glucose intolerance and obesity (1). The age of onset of hypertension is now earlier than before, making it essential that early detection of people who could be future hypertensives is done. Therefore, cardiovascular reactivity to stress in predicting future hypertension becomes important. In this fast paced age most people are exposed to mental stress which is the most common and prevalent form of stress. Increase in blood pressure (BP) in response to emotional arousal is well known, but support for this hypothesis of reactivity in predicting future hypertension is limited. We are attempting here to put forth a review of the various endeavours done so far to support this hypothesis.

Information on the relationship between autonomic functions and malnutrition in children is scant. In the present study, autonomic function tests were conducted in 30 normal subjects and 30 malnourished children aged between 5 and 10 years. The tests performed included tests for parasympathetic functions (resting heart rate, standing-to-lying ratio, lying-to-standing ratio and Valsalva ratio) and tests to assess sympathetic function (hand grip test, galvanic skin resistance). The malnourished children had significantly lower mean weights-for-age (-2.6 Z vs -1.5 Z; p = 0.001), heights-for-age (-2.5 Z vs -1.5 Z; p = 0.001) and weights-for-height (-1.6 Z vs -0.8 Z; p = 0.001). Parasympathetic function tests evaluated were significantly affected in malnourished children. Resting heart rate was significantly higher in the malnourished group (90.6 vs 82.5/min; p = 0.001). The other parasympathetic function tests had significantly lower mean values than in the control group, namely, standing-to-lying ratio (1.25 vs 1.32; p = 0.026), lying-to-standing ratio (1.23 vs 1.29; p = 0.021) and Valsalva ratio (1.26 vs 1.28; p = 0.037). Of the sympathetic function tests conducted, there were no differences between the two groups for hand grip test but galvanic skin resistance was significantly higher in the malnourished subjects (190.1 vs 149.73; p = 0.001). It is concluded that autonomic nervous system function is significantly compromised in malnourished children.

There is much evidence regarding autonomic dysfunction in obesity in adults, but information on autonomic status in obese children is scant. In the present study autonomic function tests were conducted in 30 normal and 30 obese children aged between 5 and 10 years. We performed tests for parasympathetic function (resting heart rate, S:L ratio (standing to lying ratio), 30:15 ratio and Valsalva ratio) and tests to assess sympathetic function (blood pressure response to hand grip test and cold pressor response). The children were classified as normal and obese on the basis of BMI (body mass index). Children with BMI between 20 to 24.9 were classified as normal and those with BMI > 30 as obese. The mean values of hand grip test and cold pressor response were significantly lower in the study group compared with controls (P < 0.05), however the Valsalva ratio was higher in the obese compared with normal children. Hence, our study showed compromised autonomic nervous system functions in the obese group compared with controls

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Background: The lipid profile of migraineurs showed atherogenic condition. Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events were found to be frequent and appeared one decade earlier in migraine patients compared with the general population. No comprehensive study is available regarding these aspects in migraineurs in India. Objectives: To compare lipid profile parameters between episodic migraineurs and healthy volunteers. Materials and Methods: This was a case-control study performed in a sample of migraine cases selected from the Outpatient Department, G.B. Pant Hospital, New Delhi, India, and normal healthy individuals as control group were chosen from the students of medicine, Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi, India. Migraineurs were selected based on the clinical diagnosis by neurologists, each fulfilling the International Headache Society criteria 2004. Subjects aged between 20 and 40 years were enrolled for study irrespective of the aura status. Lipid profile parameters studied were total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and triglycerides. Results: The lipid profile of migraineurs showed abnormal condition. When LDL levels were compared, 24 of 54 cases and 5 of 30 controls showed abnormal levels (P = 0.020), whereas the remaining lipids showed no statistical significance between the two groups. Conclusion: Atherogenic lipid profile of migraineurs in our study coincided with the results of earlier studies. LDL levels were higher in cases when compared with those of controls. The values of total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, and VLDL levels did not differ significantly between the controls and the cases.

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