Biomedical subjects

A Bortkiewicz

Publications and source records attributed to A Bortkiewicz.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2001

Cardiovascular disturbances in workers exposed to carbon disulfide.

According to literature data myocardial infarction was often the first noticeable effect of CS2 on the cardiovascular system. Therefore, a question arises whether earlier circulatory lesions are absent in CS2-exposed people, or they are present but are not detectable by the diagnostic methods used. The aim of our study has been to determine whether electrocardiological disturbances do occur in exposed people, and their association, if any, with the level of CS2 exposure. Modern diagnostic methods (resting and 24-h ECG, heart rate variability, late ventricular potential analysis, and long-term blood pressure monitoring) were used to answer this question. The examination comprised 177 male workers aged 24-66 years (44+/-12), employed under conditions of the exposure for 5-38 years (14+/-9), and 93 male workers non-exposed to CS2 aged 23-65 years (41+/-12). Results of our studies show that abnormalities in resting and/or 24-h ECG recordings occur significantly more frequently in people exposed to CS2 than in the controls. ECG abnormalities were found primarily among the workers with a long, over 20-year, period of exposure. The considerable coincidence between the questionnaire and ECG results was found (87% reported complaints were confirmed by ECG data). Therefore it seems that all CS2-exposed people reporting heart symptoms should be subjected to a detailed examination. The frequency of late ventricular potentials in CS2-exposed people was not higher than in the controls. It may indicate that the ECG disturbances observed in those people were associated with functional rather than organic changes. Results of long-term ABP monitoring did not show increased incidence of elevated blood pressure in the exposed group. As the levels of the risk factors of ischemic heart disease in the exposed and control groups were similar, it seems that exposure to CS2 was responsible for the significant changes in the circulatory system.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

[A study on the biological effects of exposure mobile-phone frequency EMF].

Together with a growing number of cellular telephone users increases the interest in the effect of electromagnetic fields (EMF) emitted by them on live organisms. The surveys on subjective complaints of cellular telephone users carried out in Sweden, Norway, UK, USA, New Zealand and Australia showed that head ache is the major complain, and it is more pronounced with analogue than digital telephones. Apart from head ache, fatigue and general ill-being, muscular pains and nausea are reported. Human experimental studies reveal that EMF emitted by cellular telephones may be responsible for periodical increase in arterial blood pressure, changes in electric activity of the brain. However, no changes in secretion of cerebral pituitary hormones: adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), growth hormone, prolactin (PRL), lactogenic hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and melatonine. The animal experimental studies indicated that exposure to EMF of the microwave frequency activates the endogenous opioid system in the brain, while the studies of the brain neurotransmitter activity have not produced univocal results, some of them showed decline, others increase in acetylcholinesterase activity. In vitro studies reveal that EMF even below maximum permissible levels may induce changes in the blood-brain permeability barrier and disorders in active transport of Na+, K+ ions and release of Ca++ ions by cellular membranes. The studies carried out thus far have not produced clear-cut results, but they indicate that EMF of the microwave frequency, including the frequency emitted by cellular telephones may be responsible for various measurable biological effects. It is essential to find out whether these effects may affect human health.

Blood-Brain Barrier↗

PubMed2001

[Exposure to VHF and UHF electromagnetic fields among workers employed in radio and TV broadcast centers. I. Assessment of exposure].

Nowadays, radio and television have become one of the areas of the human technical activity that develops most rapidly. Also ultra-short waves of VHF (30-300 MHz) and UHF (0.3-3 GHz) bands have proved to be the most important carriers of radio and TV-programs. In Poland, a network of radio and TV broadcast centers (RTCN) with high (over 200 m) masts was set up in the 1960s and 1970s. These centers concentrate the majority of stations broadcasting national and local programs (for areas within the RTCN range). At present, the RTCN established several decades ago are equally important. The assessment of the exposure to electromagnetic fields among workers of multi-program broadcast stations is complicated and feasible only to a certain degree of approximation because of changing conditions of exposure in individual stations during their long history, resulting from the changing numbers and types of transmitters installed. In this work, the method of retrospective estimation of exposure dose is described, and the results of the assessment carried out at three kinds of typical RTCN are discussed. The results of the analysis indicate that the workers of RTCN are exposed primarily to electromagnetic fields of VHF and UHF bands, but this exposure may be considered as admissible, hence it should not exert an adverse effect on the workers' health.

Electromagnetic Fields↗

PubMed1998

Comparison of cardiac response to managerial workload between men and women.

The aim of the study, was to estimate the reaction of selected circulatory system parameters to psychic workload in industrial managers and to answer the question whether may affect this reaction. The study was performed in 23 men (mean 46 +/- 6 years of age) and 16 women (mean 42 +/- 6 years of age), employed as executives in a large industrial plant. The subjects had their 24-h ECG recorded using Medilog 3000 (Oxford). The ECG recordings were classified as pathological according to the standards of Bjerregaard. Heart rate was calculated for working time, leisure time and sleep. The subjects were also asked to estimate the perceived psychic load according to a method involving subjective estimation of work-demands and of an ability to cope with them. Generally, the subjects reported high work demands, but coping abilities were higher than work demands. Both in the men and women, a relationship was found between the intensity of subjective estimation of psychic load and heart rate response. However, the reaction of the circulatory system to the psychic workload in men was long-lasting (its effects continued until late at night); in women it was more direct (only during work). The frequency of abnormalities in 24-h Holter ECG recordings for both test groups was not very high, a little higher in men (30%) than in women (25%), and was comparable with the frequencies in selected general population groups. Our results may indicate that mental workload of the managerial staff, does not cause increased frequency of ECG abnormalities. However, in view of the fact that cardiovascular diseases are more frequent among men than among women, different reaction of the circulatory system to workload should also be accounted for in an attempt to explain the sources of that phenomenon.

Administrative Personnel↗

PubMed1998

Alteration of diurnal rhythms of blood pressure and heart rate to workers exposed to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields.

BACKGROUND: In previous studies we found measurable effects on variability of heart rate and on blood-pressure parameters of workers exposed to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (EMF)compared with a control population, but none of the effects could be assigned clinical significance. In general, the obtained results strongly suggested that dysregulation of the autonomic control of the circulatory system was occurring. Therefore, it seemed logical that analysis of diurnal rhythms of blood pressure and heart rate, on the basis of data from 24 h recordings, might further support the above hypothesis. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the course of diurnal rhythms of blood pressure and heart rate in a group of workers exposed to various intensities of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields. METHODS: In the study we used 61 healthy workers (aged 30-50 years) who had been exposed to radiofrequency EMF of 0.738-1.503 Mhz and 42 healthy workers at radio-line stations (aged 28-49 years), who had not been exposed to EMF occupationally. The work patterns of these two groups were identical (12 h day working shift, 24 h interval, 12 h night shift and then 48 h rest). During the second day of the rest period 24 h ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) was recorded. For analysis of diurnal rhythms the group of exposed workers was divided into two subgroups: group A of 38 subjects exposed to low intensities of radiofrequency EMF (20-180 V/m) and group B of 23 subjects exposed to high intensities of radiofrequency EMF (200-550 V/m). Parameters of diurnal rhythms of blood pressure and heart rate (acrophase, amplitude and mean) were calculated by performing a least-square fit of a 24 h cosinor (single cosinor analysis) at P < 0.05. RESULTS: Healthy men aged 28-49 years, working on a pattern of 12-24-12-48 h, exhibited typical, well-preserved diurnal rhythms of blood pressure and heart rate with two maxima (at about 1400 and 1700-1800 h) and one minimum (at about 0200-0400 h). For workers exposed to radiofrequency EMF we noted a significant lowering of the amplitudes of rhythms of blood pressure and heart rate (P < 0.01) and a shift of the acrophase to an earlier time (1100-1200 h; P < 0.05). These changes were more pronounced among workers exposed to high intensities of radiofrequency EMF. CONCLUSIONS: Occupational exposure to radiofrequency EMF can result in changes of the diurnal rhythms of blood pressure and heart rate with lowering of their amplitudes and a shift of the acrophase. The clinical relevance of the present finding needs to be investigated in further studies.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

[Exposure to electromagnetic fields with frequencies of 50 Hz and changes in the circulatory system in workers at electrical power stations].

Bearing in mind a great diffusion of electromagnetic fields (EMF) with power-line frequency (in Poland-50 Hz) both in the occupational and communal environments, it is not surprising that possible health effects related to this exposure evoke much interest. Electromagnetic fields may affect the circulatory and nervous systems because of theoretical probability that electric impulses, generated by external electric and magnetic fields, may disturb their functions. For this reason we have decided to evaluate the functioning of the circulatory system in persons occupationally exposed to power-line frequency electromagnetic fields by employing the most up-to-date methods facilitating the in-depth diagnosis of the circulatory system and neurovegetative mechanisms. The work presented focused on the evaluation of electrocardiographic changes. The study covered 63 workers of the transforming and distributing stations, aged 22-67 years (median 39 +/- 10), employed under exposure for 2-43 years (median 15 +/- 10). The control group consisted of 42 workers of radio link stations, aged 23-65 years (median 30 +/- 14), employed in the similar system but not exposed to EMF, with employment duration of 1-42 years (median 13 +/- 4). All persons were subject to general medical examinations, resting ECG, and 24 h Holter monitoring. In addition, the level of exposure in individual workplaces was estimated following the measurements of the intensity of electric and magnetic fields. In workers of electromagnetic stations an increased risk for electrocardiographic disturbances was revealed. Under conditions of exposure to electric fields, observed in stations where workers were employed, the risk was increased by 10%.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

Heart rate variability in workers exposed to carbon disulfide.

It is assumed that the cardiovascular impairments resulting from CS2 exposure may be associated with some functional disturbances within the autonomic nervous system. We adopted the heart rate variability (HRV) analysis to investigate the sympathetic and parasympathetic functions of the autonomic nervous system in workers exposed to carbon disulfide. The studies were performed on 152 workers, aged 24-66, with the period of exposure ranging from 5-38 years and 93 age-matched, non-exposed, healthy individuals as the control group. The HRV analysis concerned time-domain (AVG R-R, SD R-R, modal, median, minimum and maximum values) and frequency-domain indices (power spectrum in the very low-VLF, low-LF and high-HF frequency bands) calculated using the fast Fourier transformation. In the exposed group, neurovegetative regulation impairments could be observed. They were expressed as increased heart rate at rest, reduced power spectrum: total (TPS) and within HF, LF and VLF frequency bands as well as the absence of the physiological dependence of HRV parameters on age. These abnormalities could be found even in the group of workers exposed to the lowest CS2 levels (0-10 mg/m3) and they concerned the VLF band. In workers under conditions of exposure to 10-18 mg/m3 the dysfunction of the autonomic control referred both to its sympathetic and parasympathetic part and was found to be more intense in workers exposed to the highest CS2 concentrations (over 18 mg/m3). In view of our findings we concluded that occupational exposure to carbon disulfide may bring about an impaired neurovegetative regulation of the cardiovascular function.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

[Evaluation of selected functional circulation parameters of workers from various occupational groups exposed to electromagnetic fields of high frequency. III. 24-h monitoring of arterial blood pressure (ABP)].

The problem of blood pressure regulation in persons occupationally exposed to electromagnetic fields (EMF) has not as yet been elucidated, and most data come from studies carried out long time ago (1960-70) in the former Soviet Union. Our study was aimed at verifying the Soviet data by means of modern methods. Together with traditional methods, a 24-h monitoring of arterial blood pressure (ABP) using a Medilog ABP kit (Oxford) were employed. Measurements were taken automatically every 0.5 h during daily activities and every 1 h during the night rest (about 41 measurements/day). The mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure and heart rate were calculated over day (BPSDOver, BPDOver, HROver), during daily activities (HPDD, BPSD, HRD) and during the night rest (BPSN, BPDN, HRN). The subjective and objective examinations were carried out as well as resting ECG and a 24-h Holter were performed (the results have been published earlier). The study covered male workers of middlewave broadcast stations (71), radioservice (40) and radio line stations (42). The subjects were aged 21-60 years and the duration of their work with devices generating high frequency EMF ranged between 1 and 42 years. The first group of workers was exposed to EFM at the frequency of 1 Mhz, the second at about 150 Mhz and the third group, not exposed, served as the control group. The study revealed that the mean arterial blood pressure and the day/night blood pressure variability indicator showed no significant differences between the groups, whereas the daily heart rate was significantly lower in the workers of middlewave broadcast stations in comparison with the controls despite similar type of work as far as physical effort and psychic burden are concerned, and similar non-occupational activities. The day/night heart rate variability indicator was significantly lower in the groups exposed. The decreased value of this indicator may suggest the occurrence of disorders in the neurovegetative regulation. In persons employed at radioservice stations a higher incidence of the increased arterial blood pressure, in comparison with the control group, was observed.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

[The present state of knowledge concerning the effect of electromagnetic fields of 50/60 Hz on the circulatory system and the autonomic nervous system].

Diseases of the circulatory system together with neoplastic diseases are recognised as the major health problem in the contemporary world. Their origin and aggravation may be related to the exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMFs) since theoretically, disorders in the functioning of the circulatory system are most likely due to electric impulses generated in it by external magnetic fields. The nervous system, including its autonomic part which regulates, among others, the functioning of the circulatory system, because of its electric nature is another system which may be disturbed by EMFs. From the 1960s, biological studies on the effects of power-line frequency EMFs have been carried out in many countries. In view of the applied study model, four main directions of these studies can be identified: in vitro and in vivo animal experiments, experimental studies on humans, clinical and epidemiological studies. Experimental studies on animals and humans have yielded ambiguous and very often contradictory results. Some of them indicate that EMF contributes to slowing down the cardiac rhythm and the stroke volume of the left ventricle, other results suggest their acceleration, and still other show no differences. The results of clinical studies performed in many countries in different groups of workers exposed to power-line frequency EMFs have not produced the evidence for drawing unequivocal conclusions. Again some studies reveal that those exposed show disorders in neurovegetative and blood pressure regulations (hypotension or hypertension) as well as in cardiac rhythm (bradycardia or tachycardia). Other studies do not confirm harmful effect of EMF on the circulatory system. Therefore, it is not feasible to find out, on the basis of these studies, whether and how chronic exposure to power-line frequency EMFs influences the functioning of the circulatory system, the more so as ECG standard recording has been to date the only diagnostic method, and according to the present state of knowledge it is not sufficient to assess the functioning of the circulatory system. Epidemiological studies play the most important role in the evaluation of health effects of the exposure to power-line frequency EMFs. These studies have been carried out for fifteen years, however, they do not consider the effect of chronic exposure to EMF of 50 Hz frequency on the circulatory system.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Heart rate variability in workers exposed to medium-frequency electromagnetic fields.

This study was undertaken to evaluate the neurovegetative regulation of the heart in workers occupationally exposed to medium frequency (MF) electromagnetic (EM) fields. The subjects were 71 workers of MF broadcast stations, aged 20-68 (mean 47.1) with the duration of work under exposure ranging from 2-40 years and 22 workers of radio link stations, aged 21-65 (mean 46.9) who were not exposed to MF EM fields. The distribution of age and work tenure in both groups did not differ significantly. Heart rate variability (HRV) was analysed basing on 512 normal heart evolutions registered in resting, from the body surface, using the Medea-HRV system. The analysis concerned time-domain and frequency-domain parameters of HRV using fast fourier transformation. Power spectrum in the low (0.05-0.15 Hz) and high (0.15-0.35 Hz) frequency bands (LF and HF, respectively) was determined. Statistically insignificant differences found between exposed and non-exposed groups were found either in time- or in frequency-domain parameters of HRV. No correlation between the power spectrum and the subjects age was noted. Such a relationship, however, could be observed in the control group. In the study group a statistically significant negative correlation was found between the maximum intensity of EM fields and HF power spectrum. Thus it was concluded that occupational exposure to EM fields brings about impairments in the neurovegetative regulation of the cardiovascular function.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

[Evaluation of selected parameters of circulatory system function in various occupational groups exposed to high frequency electromagnetic fields. II. Electrocardiographic changes].

The effect of electromagnetic fields (EMF) on the circulatory and nervous systems has been the subject of great interest for many years, since electric impulses generated in these systems by outer electric and magnetic fields can theoretically disturb their functions. The only data on chronic effect of weak EMFs on the human body come from the studies carried out in the Soviet Union between the fifties and the seventies. In view of a growing number of persons exposed to EMF, there is an urgent need for verifying those data by means of modern diagnostic methods. That is the reason why our study of the EMF effect on the circulatory system has been initiated. It covered 71 workers at four AM broadcast stations, 40 workers at ten radio link stations and 42 workers at three radioservices. Workers' exposure to EMF was evaluated (see part I). Subjective and objective medical examinations were performed in all workers in order to assess their state of health, then resting electrocardiogram, Holter measurements, and high intensity ECG were taken, and variation in cardiac rhythm was analysed by a long-term recording of blood pressure. The results of the analysis of the questionnaire survey as well as the Holter and resting ECG examinations are presented. The study indicated that exposure to EMF in parameters found in AM broadcast station increased risk for electrographic disturbances (detected by means of resting ECG and a 24-hour Holter recording) by six times in comparison with that in radio link station workers not exposed to medium wave EMF. In radioservice workers this risk was twice as high as that in link station workers. It seems that in AM broadcast station workers, resting ECG should be complemented by a 24-hour Holter measurements, particularly, if workers complain of the circulatory system disturbances.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

[Evaluation of selected parameters of circulatory system function in various occupational groups of workers exposed to high frequency electromagnetic fields].

In various branches of the national economy there is a continuous increase in the use of devices producing electromagnetic fields (EMFs). Therefore, the number of persons exposed more or less to EMFs is still growing. Moreover, devices producing electromagnetic fields such as microwave ovens, cellular phones, microwave alarms etc. are now in common use. Both theoretical deliberations and laboratory studies indicate that electromagnetic fields affect the human body inducing a number of physical phenomena manifested by biological changes or even disorders in organic functions. Because of their electric character, the circulatory and nervous systems are particularly vulnerable to the EMF effect. Studies aimed at evaluating the circulatory system in persons exposed, in different degress, to EMF were initiated at the Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine in 1993. To date, the studies have covered a group of workers employed at AM broadcast stations, radio link stations and radioservice. As were have obtained a quite an extensive material, it is our intention to present it in a series of publications. This one deals with the evaluation of exposure in the study group of workers. Evaluation methods and results of exposure to high frequency electromagnetic fields at workplaces under are study presented. No exposure to EMFs was found in workers at radio link stations. Therefore, they can serve as a control group in the studies of the EMF effect on the circulatory system. Exposure of radioservice and AM broadcast stations workers falls within allowable levels according to binding regulations, however, exposure of the latter was by several times higher than that of radioservice workers.

Blood Circulation↗

PubMed1995

Cardiac arrhythmia in women performing heavy physical work.

The objective of this work was to determine the response of the circulatory system to heavy physical work (the average energy expenditure was about 5000 kJ/shift). The tests were performed on a group of 35 women aged between 24 and 50 years, employed at a printing office as printing machine operators. The average length of employment for the group was 17 years (3-28 years). A 24-hour Holter ECG recording was taken on these women with the aid of an Oxford Medilog 3000 system. Before and after each recording, the arterial blood pressure was measured. Based on the ECG recordings, the heart rates during work, leisure time and sleep were calculated and the morphologies of the recordings were evaluated. In the group investigated, the abnormality in 24-hour ECG recordings classified as pathology, were found in 9 women within this group. Frequent ventricular premature beats (ExV) occurred in 3 women, ventricular bigeminy in 1 women, and single R/T excitations in 1 women. Frequent premature supraventricular extrasystols (ExSV) were found in 4 women, and within this number, in 1 woman both those heart rhythm disturbances were found. The heart rhythm disturbances occurred in connection with the performed physical task. Sinusal pauses were found in 2 women and A-V Mobitz II block was found in 1 women within the group investigated. Those changes occurred at night. No resting ECG changes were observed. The high frequency of occurrence of pathological changes in the group investigated indicates that the careful control of the state of the circulatory system in people performing heavy physical work is required.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

[Participation of mental workload in circulatory system reaction to occupational work].

The aim of the study was to determine the degree to which the heart rate during and after work of variable physical and mental load was affected by the mental workload of moderate intensity. The subjects were 150 women aged 17-57. 24-hour recordings of their heart rates during work, leisure and sleep were taken using the Medilog recording-analysing system. Mental workload was determined in two ways: by the AET method, which enabled objective evaluation of the load, and by a method which involved subjective evaluation of work requirements and the ability to cope with them. Using the multiple regression analysis, the degree to which concurrent elements of mental and physical workload an serve as predictors of heart rate during work, leisure and sleep. The results show that physical workload is the more essential factor affecting the reaction of the circulatory system under the circumstances of concurrent mental and physical workload. By extending the measurements to involve off-duty hours, it was possible to determine that the consequences of mental workload manifested also after the work. The prolonged effect of mental workload on the heart rate was evident only when the subjective method of workload estimation was used. This points to the individual character of mental workload. The findings indicate on one hand that the share of mental workload should not be neglected during evaluation of the effects of occupational workload on the physiological reactions and, on the other, that the heart rate measurement is a useful tool for indicating essential elements of workload.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1992

Physiological reaction to workload in women performing manual or mental work.

The aim of our study was to evaluate the reaction of the circulatory system on work with various levels of physical and mental load. The examinations were carried out at a department store in two groups of women: 20 cashiers (mental work) and 53 saleswomen (physical work). There were no statistically significant differences in age, duration of employment or physical fitness between those groups. Work at this department store was performed on a two-shift system with irregular rotations. The psychic load was evaluated as a relation between subjective estimation of work demands and the ability to cope with them. Physical effort was measured as an energy expenditure during work. Cardiovascular reaction was expressed by heart rate during work, leisure time and sleep estimated according to the 24-hour Holter monitoring method. No statistically significant differences in heart rate were found to exist between cashiers and saleswomen. This, taking into account the much higher energy expenditure in saleswomen, suggests that mental effort is likely to affect heart rate. In fact, mean values of subjective assessment of work demands in cashiers were much higher (5.1) than in saleswomen (4.4), unlike the evaluation of the ability to cope with them, which points to the occurrence of a significant psychic load in the work of cashiers. A lower difference between maximum and minimum frequencies of heart rate in cashiers in comparison with saleswomen confirmed this observation, although it might have resulted from different levels of physical activity during work.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

PubMed1991

[The role of physical load in the reaction of the circulatory system to professional work].

In order to evaluate the effect of particular elements of physical workload on the heart rate in a group of 148 women working at 18 work-posts whose jobs were characterized by different physical workload, 24-hour cardiograms were made using Holter's method and applying the Medilog 3000 (Oxford). It was observed that heart rate heart rate during work was higher in women who performed jobs demanding dynamic physical effort, and lower in those subjects who performed static work. Heart rate during work was positively correlated with the dynamic effort intensity and negatively--with the intensity of light dynamic work and static workload, which means that particular elements of physical workload are of different physiological importance. Therefore, the synthetic indicator of physical workload cannot be treated as a sum of the intensity of particular elements. Consequences of physical workload lasted during daytime. During sleep and leisure hours the effect of physical workload intensity upon the cardiac contraction frequency is not significant.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1991

Effects of noise on cognitive processes of individuals in a laboratory experiment.

The effects of noise on information processing in perceptual and memory tasks, as well as time reaction to perceptual stimuli, were investigated in a laboratory experiment. Performance and heart rate in Information Processing Test, Simple and Choice Reaction Time tests and Stroop's test were evaluated at three levels of noise (silence, 75 dBA, 95 dBA). Individual noise sensitivity and noise-induced temporary threshold shift (NITTS) were also assessed. The results show that neither noise nor individual noise sensitivity, or NITTS, as separate factors have an influence on information processing and time reaction to perceptual stimuli. However, noise effects simple reaction time in interaction with individual noise sensitivity, and information processing--within experimental session duration. Experimental session duration was the one separate factor affecting information processing. Noise as a separate factor does not have an influence on task performance, however, it affects heart rate. The higher increase of noise-induced temporary threshold shift, the smaller the number of heart beats/minute was found.

Adult↗

PubMed1990

The relationship between psychic workload and cardiovascular response in industrial men managers.

The aim of the present study was to estimate the relationship between high-strain work and heart rate. The study was carried out in 23 managers from a big industrial plant. Evaluation of work demands and the ability to cope with them as regards mental difficulty, monotony, risk, responsibility, interpersonal conflicts and time pressure was regarded as an indicator of psychic workload. Heart rate (HR) was recorded according to the Holter method. Mean HRs were calculated for periods of work (HR work), outside work (HR home) and sleep (HR sleep). HR during work suggested the occurrence of substantial psychic load. This was supported by subjective evaluation, especially as regards responsibility, interpersonal conflicts, time pressure and mental difficulty. Work demands and the ability to cope with them could be regarded as the predictors of HR in all three periods of time considered, but especially during sleep. The prolonged influence of psychic workload on cardiovascular system reflects its intensity and may be the cause of the common occurrence of cardiovascular diseases in managerial staff.

Adult↗