THE STATUS OF THE AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM IN ELDERLY PATIENTS WITH ARTERIAL HYPERTENSION AND POST-COVID SYNDROME

Abstract Introduction. Post-COVID syndrome represents a significant challenge for patients who have recovered from COVID-19, manifesting in a wide range of clinical symptoms. Special attention is given to autonomic dysfunction, characterized by disruptions in the autonomic nervous system, which can significantly impair the quality of life in patients, particularly the elderly with arterial hypertension. Objective. To study the autonomic nervous system in elderly patients with arterial hypertension and post-COVID syndrome. Materials and Methods. The study included 48 patients (41 women and 7 men) over the age of 60, all of whom suffered from arterial hypertension. Post-COVID syndrome was diagnosed in 23 of these patients. To study the autonomic nervous system, we used A.I. Vein's questionnaire and indicators of heart rate variability. Results. The study revealed moderate autonomic changes in 73% of all patients, and severe changes in 26%. No statistically significant difference was found between the mean scores of the A.M.Vein questionnaire and the frequency of post-COVID syndrome. However, patients with post-COVID syndrome reported fewer episodes of paroxysmal headaches compared to the control group. Heart rate variability analysis demonstrated a statistically significant increase in the LF/HF ratio, primarily due to a reduction in HF compared to the control, as well as an increase in the SDNN value.