ABSTRACT
Background: Sympathetic and parasympathetic autonomic nervous system act in opposition to each other which enable us to perform our regular functions and maintain the state of the body. Disorders of the autonomic nervous system may result from disorders of the central and the peripheral nervous system. In the elderly, autonomic neuropathy, orthostatic hypotension is prevalent leading to cognitive slowing, hypo or hyperthermia, loss of sweating etc. Methods: 50 elderly patients with no hypertension, Diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease and arrhythmias, without addictions and habituations were studied for autonomic dysfunction based on clinical symptoms and using different tests including HR variability with deep respiration, HR Response to Valsalva maneuver, HR response to standing, BP response to standing and SBP response to Valsalva maneuver. Results: We found that the autonomic dysfunction was more prominent in the age above 60 years and more so in males than females. Postural hypotension such as dizziness, blacking out, loss of consciousness, impaired cognition, Calf Claudication was the most common symptom followed by gastric and urinary tract disturbances. There was a significant decline in the heart rate variability but not so much in the BP response test. The decline in the HRV was equal in both males and females showing no disparity between the sexes. Conclusion: The indices based in the heart rate differences are more suitable for assessment of autonomic disturbances in the elderly than BP response tests.