Assessment of Heart Rate Variability in Early Post-menopausal Women

Abstract

Background and Aim: Menopause marks to a point in time that follows after the permanent stoppage of menstruation. Menopausal transition includes various autonomic dysfunctions. Age is known to affect autonomic function. Therefore, in the present study the effect of menopause on autonomic function has been assessed by comparing the heart rate variability parameters between early postmenopausal and late premenopausal women. Methods: Premenopausal and postmenopausal women of age group between 40-55 years were recruited and short term HRV was measured using BIOPAC and analysed with kubios software. Results: In postmenopausal women, HFnu was significantly reduced, LFnu, LF: HF ratio were significantly increased and among the time domain parameters, RMSSD was significantly reduced in postmenopausal women. Conclusion: Sympathovagal imbalance in the form of increased sympathetic and decreased parasympathetic activity was found in early postmenopausal women. There was considerable decrease in vagal indices in postmenopausal women which is known to increase cardiovascular risks.

Sympathovagal Imbalance and Cognitive Deficit in Postmenopausal Women: A Mini Review

“…[20] HRV was also found to be altered in early postmenopausal women with increased Low frequency, decreased high frequency component and decreased LF/HF ratio. [9] Cardiac Autonomic Function Test (CAFT)…”

“…[1] SVI is observed in postmenopausal women. [9] Large RCTs in older women showed decrease in cognitive function. [4] Thus, SVI and decline in cognitive function are present in postmenopausal women.…”

News and Views

“…[3] Also, sympathovagal imbalance is observed in post-menopausal women with increased sympathetic activity and reduced parasympathetic activity which adds to the cardiovascular risk. [4] Heart rate variability is a sensitive measure of sympathovagal imbalance. [4] It is found that there is a decline in heart rate variability in post-menopausal women.…”

“…[4] Heart rate variability is a sensitive measure of sympathovagal imbalance. [4] It is found that there is a decline in heart rate variability in post-menopausal women. [5] Recent study shows that post-menopausal state also offers higher risk of developing metabolic syndrome with an increased level of insulin resistance.…”