A comparative study of heart rate variability tests and lipid profile in healthy young adult males and females

Background: Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) is the leading cause of death in many developed countries. The relation between heart rate variability (HRV) and CHD was recently explored after the development of HRV techniques. Lower HRV was proven to be associated with a greater risk for developing hypertension among normotensive men, and hypertension is one of the major risk factors of CHD. Acute myocardial infarction is accompanied by decreased HRV, which is due to reduced vagal or increased sympathetic outflow to the heart. Aim: This study was designed to test the hypothesis of influence of gender and lipid profile difference on heart rate variability tests. Materials and Methods: Thirty healthy adult male and thirty healthy adult female subjects in the age group of 18- 25 years without any addictions and gross systemic disease were selected. Heart rate variability tests during Valsalva maneuver, deep breathing and 30:15 R-R intervals ratio were carried and lipid profile of the subjects were analyzed. Results: We found a decrease in values of HRV tests during the Valsalva maneuver, deep breathing in male individuals as compared with age- and Body Mass Index, BMI-matched females. VHeart Rate Variability tests during 30:15 R-R intervals Ratio in male individuals were significantly decreased as compared with females. Values of total cholesterol, Low Density Lipoprotein, LDL cholesterol were found to be significantly increased and High Density Lipoprotein, HDL cholesterol significantly decreased in males. Conclusion: Healthy adult males may be at a higher risk of developing acute myocardial infarction and CHD due to decreased HRV and atherogenic lipid profile. Lower level of serum estrogen may be the cause of this difference in HRV among males. The difference in HRV tests among males and females disappears after menopause.