Document Type

Article

Department

Biomedical Sciences (East Africa)

Abstract

Background: Reactivity to sympathetic stimulation can be used to predict future cardiovascular events. However, vascular reactivity, like other cardiovascular events, is expected to exhibit sexual disparity. This study was designed to assess the sex differences in the response of left ventricular function to sympathetic stimulation via cold pressor test (CPT).

Methods: Left ventricular (LV) function was assessed in fifty-one (26 males; 25 females) young adult (18- 35 years) consenting participants. Blood pressure, heart rate and left ventricular functions were assessed before and after sympathetic stimulation via CPT.

Results: Baseline levels of systolic blood pressure (SBP), end diastolic volume (EDV), end systolic volume (ESV) and stroke volume (SV) were higher in males than in females. Post CPT, cardiac output (CO), SBP, diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and mean arterial blood pressure (MABP) increased in both male and female participants when compared with the baseline values. The post CPT values of EDV and ESV were only elevated in the male participants while CPT had no effect on ejection fraction (EF) and SV in both male and female participants. The post CPT values of CO, EDV, ESV, SV, SBPand MABP were higher in the male participants.

Conclusion: The response of left ventricular functions to sympathetic stimulation via the cold pressor test CPTexhibit sexual dimorphism with greater magnitude of reactivity in the male participants.

Comments

This work was published before the author joined Aga Khan University.

Publication (Name of Journal)

LASU journal of medical sciences

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