The effect of ageing on autonomic nervous system function

We studied 76 healthy subjects (five-85 years) with a number of invasive and non-invasive tests of autonomie function. Age related effects were found with the tests of predominantly vagal cardiovascular function. However, there were no age related effects found with the tests of predominantly sympathetic cardiovascular function. The age of the subject should be taken into consideration when evaluating tests of autonomic function and each laboratory should establish its own control values.