Stress related changes due to valsalva maneuver in healthy young individuals of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Background: Effect of stress application on the body in particular, one that raises the intrathoracic pressure, like the Valsalva Maneuver needed to be gauged in the population of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The aim of this research was to assess the changes induced by Valsalva manoeuvre on the body depicted via an ECG. Methods: It was a cross sectional study conducted on healthy young adults in the research laboratory of the physiology department, Khyber Medical College over a period of seven months. A total of 119 subjects were included in research, those with morbidities were excluded. The rest were made to perform the Valsalva manoeuvre for 15 seconds at maintaining pressure of 40 mmHg. The blood pressure, ECG and heart rate were measured during and after the procedure. The data was then analysed using SPSS version 26.0. Results: The significantly affected parameters by stress were blood pressure PR, RR, QT intervals and T wave. The changes in the parameters, at rest, were either insignificant or were differentially significant in both the genders. Conclusion: Valsalva manoeuvre has a direct effect on blood pressure and ECG and in turn on pumping of the heart via effecting the ventricular contraction and repolarization.