Cardiovascular system reactivity during fixed breathing rate in females aged 16-18 years from families with different levels of financial well-being in the Russian Arctic region

Summary. Actuality. The significant role of the socio-economic status of the family in the formation of regulatory systems of young residents of the Arctic region, especially in females with their complex hormonal age formation, causes the need to determine in them the criteria of preservation of functional reserves of autonomic regulation of heart rhythm taking into account their socio-economic well-being.

Objective: to assess cardiovascular system reactivity during fixed breathing rate (FBR) in female 16-18 year olds from families with different levels of financial well-being (according to questionnaire data) living in the Russian Arctic region.

Methods. 102 female 16-18 years, born and living in the Arkhangelsk region, were examined. Heart rate variability (HRV) parameters were determined in the background and during the test with FBR (6 respiratory cycles per minute). The WHO Brief Quality of Life Questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF), Family Affluence Scale (FAS II), a questionnaire with questions about financial status, housing comfort, family composition and large families of the study participants were used in the questionnaire.

Results. When the FBR test was administered to individuals with an average level of financial well-being (group II), the indices of vagal regulation were statistically comparable to those of females with a below-average level of financial well-being (group I) and significantly higher than those of girls from families with an above-average level of financial security (group III). The correlation analysis data reflect the significant role of such indicators of economic well-being and quality of life as a high level on the Family Affluence Scale, number of cars in the family, number of family vacations per year, satisfaction in the sphere of relations with friends in maintaining vagal activity and reducing sympathetic activity according to HRV data.

Conclusion. The use of the fixed breathing rate test allowed to detect the features of vagal regulation of cardiac activity in healthy 16-18 year old females with different levels of financial well-being of their families in the Russian Arctic region. The relative decrease in vagal reserves of autonomic regulation of heart rhythm in female from families with an above-average level of financial well-being may reflect the global trend of increased psycho-emotional tension in the pursuit of success and maintenance of high social status in young people from families with high financial statuses.