| Affiliation: | (1) 1st Dept. of Medical Technology School of Health Sciences Health, University of Occupational and Environmental, 1-1 Iseigaoka, Yahatanishi, Kitakyushu, 807-8555, Japan;(2) Seiwakai Clinic, Onga, Fukuoka-Prefecture, Japan;(3) Ashiya Central Hospital, Onga, Fukuoka-Prefecture, Japan;(4) 2nd Dept. of Internal Medicine School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan |
| Abstract: | Abstract. In this study, we assessed whether baroreflex sensitivity(BRS) is influenced by risk factors of cardiovascular disease.Subjects of this study were 95 elderly people (40 males and 55females; mean age ± SD, 66.6±1.6 years) who underwent a medicalcheck-up. BRS was determined as the gain of transfer function inbaroreflex arc by spectral analysis of mean blood pressure andR-R interval variabilities in low-frequency band (0.04–0.15 Hz).Gender-related differences in BRS and relationships between BRSand various risk factors of cardiovascular disease wereinvestigated. The value of BRS was significantly higher in males[10.7±3.7 (SD) ms/mmHg] than in females [9.0±4.0 ms/mmHg, p<0.05]. However, this gender-related difference disappeared whenother variables were taken into account in the multivariatemodel. Multiple regression analyses showed independent inverserelationships between BRS and heart rate [b=–0.016±0.004 (SE)bpm,  =–0.39], and between BRS and platelet count[b=–0.002±0.001 × 103/µl, =–0.22]. Our results indicated thatBRS is inversely related to platelet count in the elderlypopulation. The precise mechanism of this correlation isunknown, but platelet factors released from platelet aggregatescan potentially influence vascular function and modify BRS, orthere is a common underlying determinant responsible for thecovariation. |
