Executive functions, PSS and reaction time improved significantly in both fast and slow pranayama groups, except reverse digit span, which showed an improvement only in fast pranayama group. In addition, percentage reduction in reaction time was significantly more in the fast pranayama group as compared to that in slow pranayama group. Both types of pranayamas are beneficial for cognitive functions, but fast pranayama has additional effects on executive function of manipulation in auditory working memory, central neural processing and sensory-motor performance.

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Gestational hypertension (GH) is associated with adverse cardiometabolic and pregnancy outcomes. Though yoga is known to be beneficial in pregnancy, the effects of yoga rendered for twenty weeks starting from 16th week of gestation in pregnant women having risk of GH on the incidence of hypertension, cardiometabolic risks and fetomaternal outcomes have not been studied. A randomized control trial was conducted on 234 pregnant women having risk of GH receiving standard antenatal care (Control group, n = 113), and receiving standard care + yoga (Study group, n = 121). Interventions were given for twenty weeks starting at 16th week of gestation. Baroreflex sensitivity (BRS), heart rate variability (HRV), insulin resistance, lipid-risk factors, and markers of inflammation, oxidative stress and vascular endothelial dysfunction (VED) were assessed before and after intervention. Incidence of new-onset hypertension, level of cardiometabolic risks at 36th week, and fetomaternal-neonatal outcomes in the perinatal period, were noted. The link of hypertension, pregnancy outcomes and cardiometabolic risks with nitric oxide (NO), the marker of VED was assessed by analysis of covariance, Pearson’s correlations, and multilinear and logistic regressions. In study group, 6.61% women developed hypertension compared to 38.1% in the control group following 20-week intervention and there was significant decrease in risk of developing GH (RR, 2.65; CI 1.42–4.95). There was less-painful delivery, decreased duration of labor, increased neonatal birthweight and Apgar score in study group. Increase in total power of HRV (β = 0.187, p = 0.024), BRS (β = 0.305, p < 0.001), and decrease in interleukin-6 (β =  − 0.194, p = 0.022) had significant association with increased NO. Twenty weeks of practice of yoga during pregnancy decreases the incidence of hypertension, improves fetomaternal outcomes, and reduces cardiometabolic risks in pregnant women having risk of GH. Decreased blood pressure, increased HRV, BRS and birth weight and decreased inflammation were associated with improved endothelial function. Trial registration: Clinical Trials Registry of India (CTRI), registration number: CTRI/2017/11/010608, on 23.11.2017.

Background and Aim: Though the mechanisms responsible for the pathogenesis of Gestational Hypertension (GHT) are unclear, it has been reported that the disease is characterized by low circulating volume and high vascular resistance. The increased peripheral vascular resistance is caused due to sympathetic overactivity which in turn causes the increase in blood pressure and Cardiovascular risk (CV). Therefore, in the present study, we aimed to study the sympathovagal imbalance, Baroreflex Sensitivity (BRS) and Rate Pressured Product (RPP) in pregnant women with risk of developing GHT during their first and third trimesters of gestation. Methods: Heart Rate (HR), Systolic and Diastolic Blood Pressure (SBP, DBP) were measured. Rate-pressure product was calculated using SBP and HR. Spectral analysis of Heart Rate Variability (HRV), Blood Pressure Variability (BPV) including BRS were assessed in a group of pregnant women (n=18) with risk factors for GHT at 16 th week and 36th week of their gestation. Parameters were compared after 36 th week with 16th weeks and analyzed. Results: It was observed that the ratio of low-frequency to high-frequency power (LF-HF ratio) of HRV was significantly increased at 36 th week of pregnancy compared with 16 th week. There was decreased BRS at 36 th week of pregnancy in risk of GHT. Significant increase in RPP was seen at 36 th week of pregnant women with risk of developing GHT when compared with 16 th of gestation. Conclusion: In the present study we conclude that there is sympathovagal imbalance in pregnant women with risk of developing GHT. Also reduced BRS and increased RPP were seen in these subjects indicating that there was increased CV risk in these patients.

Background An increased osteoprotegerin (OPG) level has been reported in both type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and cardiovascular diease (CVD) that are linked to sympathovagal imbalance (SVI). We explored the link of osteoprotegerin with cardiovagal modulation in T2DM. Methods We assessed fasting serum OPG, high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP), glucose, insulin and lipid profile in patients having T2DM receiving oral antidiabetic drugs (OAD) (n = 42) compared with age, gender and body composition-matched healthy participants without diabetes (n = 42). Rate pressure product (RPP), spectral indices of heart rate variability (HRV) and body composition were recorded in both the groups. Association of HOMA-IR and OPG with various parameters were assessed. Results Osteoprotegerin, HOMA-IR, hsCRP, coronary lipid risk factor were significantly increased, markers of cardiovagal modulation (TP, SDNN, RMSSD) were considerably decreased, ratio of low-frequency to high-frequency (LH-HF ratio), the indicator of SVI, and RPP, the marker of myocardial work stress were significantly higher in patients with diabetes, suggesting an overall elevated CVD risks in them. HOMA-IR was correlated with RMSSD, lipid risk factors and OPG. Rise in OPG was correlated with decreased cardiovagal modulation in patients with diabetes. There was significant contribution of OPG in decreasing TP, suggesting impaired cardiovagal modulation. Conclusion T2DM patients receiving OAD had higher cardiometabolic risks compared to age, gender and body composition-matched healthy individuals. Increased level of OPG is linked to decreased cardiovagal modulation in T2DM patients.

Hypertension is one of the most common medical problem encountered in about 15% of pregnancies and it contributes to 12% of maternal morbidity and mortality especially in developing countries of southeast Asia. The Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) has a prominent role in the cardiovascular system adaptation to pregnancy. However, in gestational hypertension, sympathetic overactivity leads to intense vasoconstriction that results in hypertension. Current evidence suggests that sympathovagal imbalance is highly prevalent in women with Gestational Hypertension (GHT). The sympathovagal imbalance is a major cardiovascular risk in hypertensive disorders including the hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Thus, sympathovagal imbalance is not only the physiological mechanism for genesis of hypertension in GHT, but also a major contributor to cardiovascular risk in GHT.

Background and Aim: Prehypertensive subjects pose significant future cardiovascular (CV) risk and lifestyle modification is considered as the first line of intervention for them. Few scientific trials revealed that regular composite yoga practices restore hemodynamic stability and reduces the CV risk in various diseases. However, there is a dearth of data on single yoga practice on cardiovascular health. Hence this study was undertaken to assess the impact of single slow pranayama (Chandranadi pranayama) practice for 12 weeks on cardiac autonomic functions, perceived stress score (PSS) and serum nitric oxide. Methods: The outcome parameters were recorded in thirty male prehypertensive subjects in the age group of 18 to 40 years at baseline and after intervention. They were divided into two groups, designated as control and pranayama group with fifteen subjects in each group. Pranayama group was given 27 rounds of chandranadi pranayama practice, an exclusive left nostril breathing followed by relaxation in shavasana for 10 min. The intervention was given for a period of twelve weeks. The parameters recorded were HR, BP, short-term heart rate variability (HRV), baroreflex sensitivity (BRS), PSS and the cardiac autonomic reactivity tests which included heart rate response to standing (30:15 ratio), heart rate response to deep breathing (E:I ratio) and isometric handgrip test (ΔDBDisg). Further, 3ml of venous blood was collected for serum nitric oxide and uric acid assay. Results: A significant decrease in PSS, HR, SBP, DBP and LF/HF ratio of frequency domain indices of HRV and a significant increase in BRS, 30:15 ratio, E:I ratio and serum nitric oxide was noted in pranayama group at 12 weeks, when compared with their baseline data. No significant changes were observed in control group at 0 and 12 weeks. Conclusion: In our study, 12 weeks of exclusive left nostril breathing practice found to normalize BP and HR, improved BRS, restored sympathovagal balance and reduced perceived stress in prehypertensive subjects, which signifies decreased CV risk in them.

Background and Aim: Increased Neck circumference is the marker of upper body obesity and identified as an indicator of future cardiovascular disease risk (CVD). Hence, in this study, we assessed the relationship of Neck circumference (NC) with basal cardiovascular and body composition (BC) parameter in young adult males. Methods: Sixty three healthy young adult male volunteers of age between 18 to 25 years were enrolled for this study and they were divided into two groups based on neck circumference (NC). Control group (n = 32) comprises of individuals with normal neck circumference of ≤ 35.5 cm and study group (n = 31) includes individuals with increased neck circumference of ≥ 35.5 cm. The, BC parameters was assessed by Bioimpedance Analysis (BIA) method using Quadscan 4000. And the basal cardiovascular parameters such as systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), heart rate (HR) was measured by automated sphygmomanometer and the pulse pressure (PP), mean arterial pressure (MAP) and the rate pressure product (RPP) were derived. Results: Data was expressed in Mean ± SD. The groups were compared using Independent Student's t test. The association between NC and various study parameters were assessed by Pearson's correlation analysis. Our study, revealed increased body fat and reduced muscle mass in individuals with increased NC. Further, we observed a positive correlation of NC with body fat (%) and negative correlation with Lean Body Mass. Cardiovascular parameters SBP, DBP, MAP and PP were elevated in subjects with increased NC. Further, positive correlation is seen with SBP, DBP, RPP and NC. Conclusion: Neck circumference is a readily measurable screening tool of upper-body adiposity and increased NC is associated with CVD risk.