Comparative Evaluation of Blood Pressure and Heart Rate Variability among Non-vegetarians and Vegetarians

Abstract

Background: Dietary approaches to regulate blood pressure should be an important strategy of cardiovascular health. There is extensive study demonstrating multiple individual dietary components and several dietary patterns that affect blood pressure. Aim: The present study planned to investigate the influence of dietary patterns on cardiac functions. Materials and Methods: 20 healthy subjects belonging to regular consumption of vegetarian and heavy non vegetarian diet among the student population were analysed for changes in blood pressure (SBP, DBP, PP, MAP), Pulse rate and heart rate variability (HRV). Results: The results of the study revealed that non vegetarians showed a significant increase in systolic blood pressure (p=0.030) (p>0.05) and diastolic blood pressure (p=0.033) (p>0.05) and insignificant decrease in heart rate variability in comparison with the vegetarians.  Conclusion: Thus the study concluded that there is a positive interaction of diet preference and changes in blood pressure among vegetarians and non vegetarians.