Comparing Spectral Properties Of Finger Photoplethysmography Signals In Healthy Subjects And Arterial Hypertension Patients

The paper compares autonomic activity of healthy subjects and patients with hypertension. To estimate the autonomic activity in both groups we accessed the following spectral characteristics of finger photoplethysmogram: power density in low-frequency (LF%) and high-frequency (HF%) ranges in relation to total power in 0-0.4 frequency band, and sympathovagal balance (LF%/HF%). The comparison revealed statistically significant increase of HF%, decrease of LF% as well as decrease in LF%/HF% both in male and female hypertensive patients. Obtained results suggested that spectral characteristics of finger photoplethysmogram can be used as indexes of hypertension in sub-clinical stage.