Relationship between abdominal fat, blood pressure and heart rate variability in the elderly

Senescence is the sum of changes of normal aging. Taking into account the consequences that the modification of body composition can cause on the nutritional status of the population, evaluating and detecting these as early as possible can contribute to reducing the health problems caused by it. The present study aimed to verify the relationship between abdominal fat and cardiovascular parameters in the elderly, by analyzing their heart rate variability (HRV) and using computed tomography to map the density and thickness of the abdominal wall. The study analyzed the RR interval and the variables SDNN, RMSSD, pNN50, HF, LF and the ratio between LF / HF, within the frequency and time domains, considering that n =48. Heart rate fluctuated noticeably when analyzed in volunteers with a BMI value greater than 26 and an average height of 1.60. The relationship between the indicators of density and thickness of intra-abdominal fat and HRV indicators were statistically significant, resulting in p<0.05. Central obesity demonstrated a strong relationship with cardiac autonomicdys function in the elderly. The variables SDNN, pNN50, HF, LF, LF / HF showed a positive association with the indices of thickness and density of intra-abdominal fat.