Coronary and cerebral vascular pathology results from the interaction of many hereditary and environmental factors acting at cellular, organ and system level. Our aim was to evaluate the autonomic cardiovascular function in healthy offspring of individuals with vascular pathology related to essential hypertension, metabolic disorders or to its outcome (myocardial infarction, cerebral stroke).

The assessment of the autonomic cardiovascular function was based on the measurement of heart rate variability (HRV), blood pressure variability (BPV) and baroreflex sensitivity (BRS). In addition pulse wave velocity (PWV) was measured as a marker of arterial rigidity. Two cardiovascular function tests were applied: orthostatic test (OT) as a sympathetic challenge and Valsalva maneuver for BRS evaluation. Continuous recording of electrocardiogram, noninvasive blood pressure (Finapress, Ohmeda 1300) and photoplethysmogram was performed using Biopac MP100 digitizer. Data were analyzed using Acknowledge and MIS2000 software.

The studied individuals were divided into 2 groups: with family history for vascular pathology (N+) and their age matched controls (C).

HRV parameters in N+ demonstrated a predominance of the sympathetic influences on cardiac function, e.g. HRV index of autonomic balance was markedly higher in N+ as compared to C both at rest (2.7 vs. 0.8) and during OT (7.5 vs. 2.4). BPV was greater in N+ (17 vs. 9 mmHg² in C at rest; 63 vs. 41 mmHg² during OT). Accordingly, BRS was lower in N+ (3.8 ms/mmHg) as compared to C (12.7 ms/mmHg) at rest and 2 vs. 8.6 ms/mmHg after OT performance. Modified abPWV was higher in N+ individuals as compared to controls – 4.2 vs. 3.3 m/s.

Our data revealed the existence of discreet alterations of the autonomic cardiovascular function in young healthy individuals with family history for vascular pathology. Those alterations were manifested by slight changes in HRV, BPV, BRS and PWV, which were typical for the predominance of the sympathetic efferent influences on the cardiovascular effectors. Hence, these noninvasive tests are suitable for screening individuals at risk and for primary prevention of cardiovascular pathology.

Keywords: 

Heart rate variability; Baroreflex sensitivity; Blood pressure variability; Pulse wave velocity; Cardiovascular autonomic function.

This study was supported by Grant N Bg-SK 201 of the Bulgarian Fund for Scientific Research.