A cross-sectional study on effect of body mass index on the spectral analysis of heart rate variability -

Background: Obesity is associated with dysregulation of autonomic function. Heart rate variability (HRV) in women has been related independently to menstrual cycle, body mass index (BMI), and other factors. A reduced HRV is associated with autonomic dysregulation. Aims and Objectives: The study was undertaken to observe the effect of BMI on the analysis of HRV in young adult females. Materials and Method: A total of 60 healthy women aged 18–30 years participated in the study. Their BMI was measured after recording their height and weight using Quetelet’s index. The HRV recording of each subject was then done. Using appropriate statistical tests, the HRV was compared among the subjects of different BMI groups. Result: HRV is reduced in overweight females depicted by an increase in low frequency (LF) and low frequency / high frequency ratio in overweight females when compared to normal-weight females. Conclusion: Raised BMI is associated with reduced HRV correlates with sympathetic overactivity and sympathovagal imbalance thereby increasing the chances of cardiac autonomic dysfunction, ultimately leading to cardiovascular disease in females.