Cardiovascular variability (CVV) has been evaluated in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) in other countries and exhibit ethnic differences.
Objective
We investigated heart rate variability (HRV) and blood pressure variability (BPV) in Mexican patients with PD.
Method
We further compared HRV and BPV between this group and young healthy controls (YHC) in order to estimate, for the first time in our country, the magnitude of the difference. Twenty patients were examined. Time- and frequency-domain CVV parameters were studied during supine rest (SR), active standing (AS) and controlled breathing. These measurements were compared to those of 20 YHC.
Results
In the three conditions tested, our study showed a decrease in almost all HRV parameters in PD patients; on the contrary, decreased BPV parameters were found less frequently and only during SR and AS.
Conclusion
Our results indicate that HRV is impaired in PD. Some BPV parameters are also diminished.
Parkinson's disease; autonomic nervous system; heart rate variability; blood pressure variability; dysautonomia
