Abstract

Background: Hypertension is a major public health problem, which usually has a silent modus operandi. It is the outcome of a complex interaction between genetic and environmental factors. Aims and
Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the autonomic nervous system (ANS) in normotensive individuals albeit with a family history of hypertension.
Materials and Methods: This study was based on the examination of the ANS, using a battery of autonomic function tests done on 30 normotensive subjects with a family history of hypertension and an equal number of age and sex-matched controls without any such family history. The results were statistically analyzed using Student’s unpaired t-test for comparison of means. P < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant.
Results: Both the study groups are well matched as far the anthropometric variables, as well as the resting cardiovascular parameters are concerned. The parasympathetic component of the ANS was also essentially similar in its functionality in both the groups. Whereas, the sympathetic component was overactive in the participants as exemplified by greater increase in the diastolic blood pressure in response to sustained handgrip. Conclusion: The normotensive individuals with a family history of hypertension in this study showed an overactive sympathetic nervous system and an unaffected parasympathetic nervous system.