UDC

616.12-008

Authors

Melkova Lyudmila Atremyevna, Institute of Medical and Biological Research, Northern (Arctic) Federal University named after M.V. Lomonosov (Arkhangelsk, Russia) 

Abstract

The article evaluates the autonomic regulation of heart rate variability (HRV) in 100 women aged 55–84 years. In the sample surveyed, 66 % of the women had cardiovascular diseases, 21 % had comorbidities and 59 % were taking medications. The autonomic regulation of heart rate variability was studied by means of cardiointervalography using VNS-Spectrum hardware and software complex (Neurosoft, Russia). To evaluate reactivity of the autonomic nervous system we used a modified tilt table test. After 10 minutes of lying flat, the table was tilted at an angle of 45°. HRV was recorded for 15 minutes, with three 5-minute segments singled out. Having assessed the statistical and spectral HRV parameters as well as variation pulsometry data, we found no statistically significant differences between the age groups (55– 64, 65–74, and 75–84 years). This may be due to a certain stability of HRV in elderly and senile people or to cardiovascular diseases and medications taken by the majority of surveyed women. The modified tilt table test showed no significant changes in HRV either. The absence of statistically significant changes can be explained by: age-related weaker response of the autonomic nervous system to the load, heart rate stabilization due to medication, and insufficient duration or intensity (the table’s angle) of the exposure. Therefore, a conclusion can be drawn that this modified version of the tilt table test is not efficient enough for the elderly.

Keywords

heart rate variability, tilt table test, old age.

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