Abstract

Background: Post-menopausal women suffer from various complications like autonomic dysfunction which predisposes them to cardiovascular morbidity. Decline in estrogen levels after menopause is associated with increased cardiovascular risks. Timely evaluation of such derangements and active intervention can play an important role in the prevention of cardiovascular morbidity.

Aims and Objective: The aim is to compare the sympathetic autonomic nervous system activity in pre-menopausal and age-matched post-menopausal women.

Materials and Methods: This study was conducted on two groups of 40 women each. Group I included pre-menopausal women and Group II included post-menopausal women. Sympathetic nervous system assessment was done using cold pressor test (CPT), handgrip test (HGT), and blood pressure (BP) response to standing. Statistical analysis was performed using Student’s t-test.

Results: Evaluation of sympathetic functions between the two groups showed that the mean rise in systolic BP (SBP) in response to CPT was lower in Group I than in Group II (P < 0.01). Mean rise in the diastolic BP (DBP) in response to HGT was also lower in Group I as compared to Group II (P < 0.01). Fall in SBP on standing in Group I was more than in Group II (P < 0.01).

Conclusion: Sympathetic nervous system evaluation showed sympathetic hyperactivity in the post-menopausal group as compared to the premenopausal group.

Key words: Menopause; Sympathetic; Cardiovascular; Estrogen