Relationship between autonomic function and fitness level in an HIV-positive population

Abstract

Autonomic dysfunction is a common co-morbidity of untreated [Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) naïve] human immunodeficiency virus (HW) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) [4, 15, 32, 37, 40]. Decreased autonomic function has been linked to increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and all-cause mortality [23, 25, 38]. Autonomic dysfunction is an imbalance between the two branches of the autonomic nervous system (sympathetic and parasympathetic). Healthy autonomic function is the organized and dynamic balance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems [47]. The sympathetic branch, responsible for the "fight or flight" response, is intended to prepare the body for activity. When the body is at rest it is controlled by the parasympathetic branch. If one of these systems is more active than the other, creating an imbalance, it is considered autonomic dysfunction.