“…We emphasize the need for knowledge of physiology and pathophysiology in order to correctly understand, apply, and interpret autonomic tests, as well as the various factors that can alter their results, such as age, gender, body position, time of day, prior physical activity, nutrition, BP, HR, respiratory rate baseline, coffee ingestion, use of cigarettes, mental stress, hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia, and insulinemia. Hyperinsulinemia seems to be related to an increase in plasma norepinephrine and a decrease in parasympathetic control of HR caused by insulin itself ( 11 ). Furthermore, insulin affects blood vessel tone and can induce vasodilation and hypotension.…”