Autonomic Influence on Heart Rate for Deep Breathing and Valsalva Maneuver in Healthy Subjects

INTRODUCTION: The Autonomic nervous system is responsible for regulation and integration of visceral functions. Disturbance of autonomic nervous system play crucial role in pathogenesis and clinical course of many diseases. In the present study deep breathing test and valsalva maneuver have been described to monitor parasympathetic function genderwise. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 100 subjects, aged 18-25 years, from May to November 2017, in exercise physiology laboratory, Kathmandu University School of Medical Sciences, Chaukot, Kavre. Electrocardiograph recorded by AD instrument was used to calculate the resting heart rate and the heart rate response to deep breathing test and valsalva maneuver. RESULTS: Heart rate response to deep breathing test (31.69+14.79 Vs. 36.08+18.65, P=0.195) and valsalva ratio (1.59+0.39 Vs. 1.69+0.54, P=0.314) tend to be higher in female than male subjects but not significant. The resting heart rate of females was significantly higher than that of males (84.37 + 11.08 Vs. 78.43 + 12.06, P<0.05). Heart rate was significantly increased during and decreased after valsalva maneuver in both male and female subjects. CONCLUSIONS: This study concludes that both deep breathing test and valsalva maneuver activates parasympathetic system inhealthy subjects. And also dominant parasympathetic activity was found in female comparison to male subjects.