Comparison of Heart Rate Variability and Lipid Profile Values in Young Adolescent Males and Females with Normal BMI

The incidence of cardiovascular disease is at rise among the younger age group. This is due to the modernization of life style. With the availability of modern equipment there is a decrease in the levels of physical activity. However, because of the deadline pressures in work environment there is an increase in the mental stress. Stress increases the discharge of sympathetic nervous system that may have a deleterious effect on cardiovascular autonomic regulation. Hence, it is necessary to assess the autonomic nervous system activity. Heart rate variability serves as a powerful tool to measure the resting autonomic tone. Very few studies have been done to assess the Heart Rate Variability changes in the young adolescent age group. To compare the lipid profile values and heart rate variability measures between young adolescent males and females of age group 17 - 19 yrs. Thirty (30) adolescent females and thirty (30) adolescent males of age group 17-19 years with normal BMI without any other comorbid conditions were included in this study. Blood samples were collected to measure the lipid profile values in these subjects. ECG was recorded in lead 2 using RMS Polyrite - D to obtain resting HRV. The Total cholesterol and LDL values was significantly more in males when compared to females. LF and LF/HF ratio was significantly more in males than in females. The increase in LF value in males is an indicator of increased sympathetic activity in males when compared to females in young adolescent age group.