CARDIOVASCULAR RESPONSES TO SUSTAINED HANDGRIP IN OBESE FEMALES

Obesity is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. High incidence of cardiac autonomic nerve dysfunctions are noted in obese subjects. This study was done to assess the cardiovascular responses to sustained handgrip in obese females. This study included 40 obese females aged 35- 45years with BMI more than 30 Kg per m2 as study group and 40 nonobese females in same age group with BMI between 18.5- 24.9 Kg per m2 as control. Cardiovascular sympathetic activity was assessed by handgrip dynamometer by recording pulse rate and blood pressure before and after hand grip test.Studentst test and Pearsons correlation coefficient test were used for statistical analysis. The results indicated a higher level of resting pulse rate, resting systolic and diastolic pressures in obese as compared to control whereas the obese females revealed a lower diastolic pressure response for hand grip as compared to nonobese controls. The maximum systolic blood pressure and pulse rate during hand grip, systolic blood pressure difference and pulse rate difference between rest and handgrip were not significant between the two groups. This study showed sympathetic nerve activity may be reduced in obesity which may be the cause for various cardiovascular complications.