Study of Cardiovascular Parameters and Heart Rate Variability (Frequency Domain Analysis) In 1St Trimester of Normal Pregnant Women and Pregnant Women with Risk Factors for Pih in Western Rajasthan

Background: The role of sympathovagal imbalance (SVI) and CV risk in pregnancy-induced hypertension(PIH) has been reported, and their association during early trimesters of gestation in PIH has not beenstudied. Therefore, in the present study, we have investigated the maternal cardiovascular parameters andfrequency domain indices of Heart rate variability (HRV) between normal pregnant women and women withrisk factors for PIH in their 1st trimester of gestation.Methods: Two hundred twenty subjects each (220 of normotensive pregnant women i.e., control group and220 of pregnant women with risk factor for PIH i.e., study group) of 1st trimester of gestation were recruitedfrom the obstetrics & gynecology department of Umaid hospital, associated with Dr. S. N. Medical College,Jodhpur, Rajasthan. Physical examination was done and anthropometric measurement like height & weightwere taken. The collected data was statistically analyzed using HRV analysis software.Results: Significant difference in body mass index was observed between the two groups. Systolic bloodpressure, Diastolic blood pressure, Pulse pressure, Rate pressure product and Mean arterial pressure of studygroup was significantly higher than control group. Values of LF and LF/HF ratio components of frequencydomain analysis of HRV were significantly increased but HF component is non significantly decrease in 1sttrimester of the pregnant women with risk factor for PIH than normal pregnant women.Conclusion: The present study indicates that the cardiovascular parameters in 1st trimester of pregnantwomen with risk factor for PIH were increased highly significantly than the normal pregnant women. Thehighly significant (HS) (p<0.000) increase in the LF (nu) & LF/HF ratio and non significant (NS) (p<0.552)decrease in HF (nu) of pregnant women with risk factors for PIH was observed than normal pregnant womenthis indicate that sympathetic tone was increased in 1st trimester of pregnant women with risk factor for PIH.Vagal withdrawal and sympathetic exaggeration may be the possible cause of PIH in pregnant women withits risk factors.