A study of heart rate variablity tests and lipid profile in postmenopausal women

This study was designed to test the hypothesis of alteration of cardiovascular autonomic functions in healthy postmenopausal women and relation of lipid metabolism. Sixty postmenopausal women without any gross systemic disease were selected. The parameters recorded were, Valsalva ratio, heart rate variation with deep breath test, heart rate response to postural change (30:15 R-R interval ratio) and lipid profile. Significant differences in all test results were noticed among the premenopausal and postmenopausal groups. Thirty-seven subjects in postmenopusal group were found to have abnormal autonomic functions while 23 had normal autonomic functions. Results of heart rate variability tests showed significant decrease in values of Valsalva ratio, deep breath test, and 30:15 R-R interval ratio in subjects having abnormal autonomic functions. Results of lipid profile showed significant increase in values of total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein (LDL), triglyceride (TG), cholesterol/ high density lipoprotein (HDL) ratio and insignificant decrease in HDL values in subjects having abnormal autonomic functions. The findings showed that the changes in sex hormone levels, after menopause may alter the autonomic nervous system response and lipid metabolism. It was found that postmenopausal women who had significantly decreased values of heart rate variability tests also had significant increase in values of TC, LDL, TG, cholesterol/HDL ratio and insignificant decrease in values of HDL, suggesting that dyslipidaemia may be an important factor for development of autonomic dysfunction.