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Dzikowicz DJ, Saoji SB, Tam WC, Brunner WM, Carey MG. The Effect of Mandatory Fitness Requirements on Cardiovascular Events: A State-by-State Analysis Using a National Database. Workplace Health Saf 2024; 72:101-107. [PMID: 38217417 DOI: 10.1177/21650799231221575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cardiovascular events are known to be the leading cause of death among on-duty firefighters. Implementing fitness standards may help reduce the incidence of cardiovascular deaths; however, standards vary between firefighter type and states. We aimed to investigate the rate of cardiovascular events among firefighters across states. METHODS Using publicly available data from the United States Fire Administration, we explored the rates of cardiovascular deaths between firefighter type (e.g., career, volunteer, and wildland) and state. Specifically, we examined rates of cardiovascular deaths between California and Tennessee, which have fitness standards for all firefighters, and New York, which does not have fitness standards for volunteer firefighters. We used descriptive statistics and trend analysis to examine the data. FINDINGS Most cardiovascular events occur among volunteer firefighters (60.6%, n = 877). Volunteer firefighters had 7.5 (95% CI = [4.8, 11.7], p < .001) greater odds of cardiovascular events compared to wildland firefighters, who had the lowest incidence of cardiovascular events (1.7%, n = 24). New York reported the most cardiovascular events (n = 161), primarily among volunteer firefighters (73.9%, n = 119). After the passage of legislation mandating fitness standards in California, a downtrend in the number of volunteer firefighter fatalities is observed. However, a null effect was observed in Tennessee after the passage of similar fitness standards as in California. CONCLUSIONS/APPLICATIONS TO PRACTICE Volunteer firefighters are significantly more likely to die of a cardiovascular event than career and wildland firefighters, both of which have stricter fitness standards. However, the effect of legislation mandating stricter fitness standards among volunteers did not produce a clear benefit for preventing fatalities. Nurses need to promote cardiovascular health among volunteer firefighters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dillon J Dzikowicz
- School of Nursing, University of Rochester
- University of Rochester Medical Center
- Clinical Cardiovascular Research Center
| | | | - Wai Cheong Tam
- Fire Research Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology
| | | | - Mary G Carey
- School of Nursing, University of Rochester
- University of Rochester Medical Center
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Tungar IM, Rama Krishna Reddy MM, Flores SM, Pokhrel P, Ibrahim AD. The Influence of Lifestyle Factors on the Occurrence and Severity of Premature Ventricular Contractions: A Comprehensive Review. Curr Probl Cardiol 2024; 49:102072. [PMID: 37689374 DOI: 10.1016/j.cpcardiol.2023.102072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/11/2023]
Abstract
Premature ventricular contractions (PVC) are a type of ventricular arrhythmias, occurring as a result of formation or reentry of an abnormal impulse in the ventricular myocardium or in the Purkinje system. PVC occurs commonly in healthy individuals and is observed in 1%-4% of the population. Several lifestyle factors like stress levels, caffeine, drugs, alcohol, nicotine, sleep, and physical exercise have been implicated in increasing the risk. Caffeine and drugs precipitate heightened cardiac stimulation, precipitating PVCs. Excessive alcohol and nicotine disturb the electrical pathways resulting in PVCs. Higher rates of PVCs have been associated with obesity. Individuals with insomnia and increased stress levels are also at an increased risk due to an imbalance in the autonomic system. Exercise is known to induce PVCs, including in healthy, asymptomatic individuals. Modification of these factors can decrease PVC risk. This article aims to provide a comprehensive review of the effects of lifestyle factors on PVC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ishan M Tungar
- Department of Internal Medicine, B J Government Medical College and Sassoon General Hospital, Pune, Maharashtra, India.
| | | | - Sofia M Flores
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Saint Kitts
| | - Prakriti Pokhrel
- Department of Psychiatry, Kathmandu Medical College and Teaching Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal
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van Duijvenboden S, Ramírez J, Orini M, Aung N, Petersen SE, Doherty A, Tinker A, Munroe PB, Lambiase PD. Prognostic Significance of Different Ventricular Ectopic Burdens During Submaximal Exercise in Asymptomatic UK Biobank Subjects. Circulation 2023; 148:1932-1944. [PMID: 37855144 PMCID: PMC10712993 DOI: 10.1161/circulationaha.123.064633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The consequences of exercise-induced premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) in asymptomatic individuals remain unclear. This study aimed to assess the association between PVC burdens during submaximal exercise and major adverse cardiovascular events (MI/HF/LTVA: myocardial infarction [MI], heart failure [HF], and life-threatening ventricular arrhythmia [LTVA]), and all-cause mortality. Additional end points were MI, LTVA, HF, and cardiovascular mortality. METHODS A neural network was developed to count PVCs from ECGs recorded during exercise (6 minutes) and recovery (1 minute) in 48 315 asymptomatic participants from UK Biobank. Associations were estimated using multivariable Cox proportional hazard models. Explorative studies were conducted in subgroups with cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging data (n=6290) and NT-proBNP (N-terminal Pro-B-type natriuretic peptide) levels (n=4607) to examine whether PVC burden was associated with subclinical cardiomyopathy. RESULTS Mean age was 56.8±8.2 years; 51.1% of the participants were female; and median follow-up was 12.6 years. Low PVC counts during exercise and recovery were both associated with MI/HF/LTVA risk, independently of clinical factors: adjusted hazard ratio (HR), 1.2 (1-5 exercise PVCs, P<0.001) and HR, 1.3 (1-5 recovery PVCs, P<0.001). Risks were higher with increasing PVC count: HR, 1.8 (>20 exercise PVCs, P<0.001) and HR, 1.6 (>5 recovery PVCs, P<0.001). A similar trend was observed for all-cause mortality, although associations were only significant for high PVC burdens: HRs, 1.6 (>20 exercise PVCs, P<0.001) and 1.5 (>5 recovery PVCs, P<0.001). Complex PVC rhythms were associated with higher risk compared with PVC count alone. PVCs were also associated with incident HF, LTVA, and cardiovascular mortality, but not MI. In the explorative studies, high PVC burden was associated with larger left ventricular volumes, lower ejection fraction, and higher levels of NT-proBNP compared with participants without PVCs. CONCLUSIONS In this cohort of middle-aged and older adults, PVC count during submaximal exercise and recovery were both associated with MI/HF/LTVA, all-cause mortality, HF, LTVAs, and cardiovascular mortality, independent of clinical and exercise test factors, indicating an incremental increase in risk as PVC count rises. Complex PVC rhythms were associated with higher risk compared with PVC count alone. Underlying mechanisms may include the presence of subclinical cardiomyopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan van Duijvenboden
- Institute of Cardiovascular Science, University College London, United Kingdom (S.v.D., M.O., P.D.L.)
- William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, United Kingdom (S.v.D., J.R., N.A., S.E.P., A.T., P.B.M.)
- Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, United Kingdom (S.v.D., A.D.)
| | - Julia Ramírez
- William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, United Kingdom (S.v.D., J.R., N.A., S.E.P., A.T., P.B.M.)
- Aragon Institute of Engineering Research, University of Zaragoza, Spain and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red – Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina, Spain (J.R.)
| | - Michele Orini
- Institute of Cardiovascular Science, University College London, United Kingdom (S.v.D., M.O., P.D.L.)
- Barts Heart Centre, St Bartholomew’s Hospital, London, United Kingdom (M.O., N.A., S.E.P. P.D.L.)
| | - Nay Aung
- William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, United Kingdom (S.v.D., J.R., N.A., S.E.P., A.T., P.B.M.)
- Barts Heart Centre, St Bartholomew’s Hospital, London, United Kingdom (M.O., N.A., S.E.P. P.D.L.)
- NIHR Barts Biomedical Research Centre, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, United Kingdom (N.A., S.E.P., A.T., P.B.M.)
| | - Steffen E. Petersen
- William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, United Kingdom (S.v.D., J.R., N.A., S.E.P., A.T., P.B.M.)
- Barts Heart Centre, St Bartholomew’s Hospital, London, United Kingdom (M.O., N.A., S.E.P. P.D.L.)
- NIHR Barts Biomedical Research Centre, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, United Kingdom (N.A., S.E.P., A.T., P.B.M.)
| | - Aiden Doherty
- Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, United Kingdom (S.v.D., A.D.)
| | - Andrew Tinker
- William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, United Kingdom (S.v.D., J.R., N.A., S.E.P., A.T., P.B.M.)
- NIHR Barts Biomedical Research Centre, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, United Kingdom (N.A., S.E.P., A.T., P.B.M.)
| | - Patricia B. Munroe
- William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, United Kingdom (S.v.D., J.R., N.A., S.E.P., A.T., P.B.M.)
- NIHR Barts Biomedical Research Centre, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, United Kingdom (N.A., S.E.P., A.T., P.B.M.)
| | - Pier D. Lambiase
- Institute of Cardiovascular Science, University College London, United Kingdom (S.v.D., M.O., P.D.L.)
- Barts Heart Centre, St Bartholomew’s Hospital, London, United Kingdom (M.O., N.A., S.E.P. P.D.L.)
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Dzikowicz DJ, Carey MG. Correlates of Autonomic Function, Hemodynamics, and Physical Activity Performance During Exercise Stress Testing Among Firefighters. Biol Res Nurs 2023; 25:382-392. [PMID: 36446383 PMCID: PMC10404907 DOI: 10.1177/10998004221143508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autonomic dysfunction is an important propagator of cardiometabolic disease and can be measured using multiple metrics such as heart rate variability (HRV) and heart rate recovery (HRR). The relationships between HRV and HRR have not been fully examined, nor have the relationships between HRV, HRR, and other physiological measures linked to cardiometabolic disease (e.g., blood pressure recovery). Evaluation of these additional relationships may provide new insights into the association between autonomic function and cardiometabolic disease especially among high-risk groups like firefighters. METHODS 92 firefighters (96% male, 81% white) without overt cardiovascular disease underwent exercise testing with continuous heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP) monitoring. HRR was the difference between maximal HR and HR 1-minute post-exercise; BP recovery (BPR) was the difference between maximal BP and BP 2-minute post-exercise. Afterwards, participants underwent 24-hour electrocardiographic monitoring to measure HRV. Unadjusted Spearman correlations and adjusted partial Spearman correlations were computed. Between group analyses were also conducted with Kruskal-Wallis test. RESULTS Associations between HRV and HRR poorly converged (RMSSD and HRR, unadjusted = 0.235; adjusted = 0.144). SDNN Index exhibited the strongest association with parasympathetic tone exhibited by overall lower HRs (unadjusted = -0.600; adjusted = -0.631). HRR demonstrated stronger associations with systolic and diastolic BP responses during exercise (SBP Recovery unadjusted = 0.267; adjusted = 0.297; DBP Recovery unadjusted = -0.276; adjusted = -0.232). CONCLUSIONS Overall, while HRV metrics converged and were associated with lower resting heart rates, HRV and HRR poorly converged. Interestingly, HRR was related with measures of hemodynamics indicating a potential relationship with vascular function during both maximal exercise and exercise recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dillon J. Dzikowicz
- Dillon J. Dzikowicz, MS, RN, PCCN, CMC, University of Rochester School of Nursing, 255 Crittenden Blvd, Rochester, NY 14620, USA.
| | - Mary G. Carey
- University of Rochester School of Nursing, Rochester, NY, USA
- University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA
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Iqbal M, Putra ICS, Kamarullah W, Pranata R, Achmad C, Karwiky G, Pramudyo M, Goenawan H, Akbar MR, Kartasasmita AS, Kim YH. Revisiting exercise-induced premature ventricular complexes as a prognostic factor for mortality in asymptomatic patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Cardiovasc Med 2022; 9:949694. [PMID: 36247448 PMCID: PMC9556273 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2022.949694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BackgroundRecent investigations suggest that premature ventricular complexes (PVCs) during an exercise test are associated with an elevated risk of mortality in asymptomatic individuals. However, given the small number of studies included, the association between these two entities in the asymptomatic population remains obscure. Our aim was to evaluate this matter.MethodsA comprehensive literature search was conducted utilizing several online databases up to April 2022. The study comprised cohort studies examining the relationship between exercise-induced premature ventricular complexes (EI-PVCs) and all-cause mortality (ACM) as well as cardiovascular mortality (CVM) in asymptomatic populations. To provide diagnostic values across the statistically significant parameters, we additionally calculated sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve (AUC).ResultsA total of 13 studies consisting of 82,161 patients with a mean age of 49.3 years were included. EI-PVCs were linked to an increased risk of ACM (risk ratio (RR) = 1.30 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.18–1.42); p < 0.001; I2 = 59.6%, p-heterogeneity < 0.001) and CVM (RR = 1.67 (95% CI = 1.40–1.99); p < 0.001; I2 = 7.5%, p-heterogeneity = 0.373). Subgroup analysis based on the frequency of PVCs revealed that frequent PVCs were similarly related to a higher risk of ACM and CVM, but not infrequent PVCs. Moreover, diagnostic test accuracy meta-analysis showed that recovery phase EI-PVCs have a higher overall specificity than exercise phase EI-PVCs regarding our outcomes of interest.ConclusionEI-PVCs are correlated with a higher risk of ACM and CVM. When compared to the exercise phase, the specificity of PVCs generated during the recovery period in predicting interest outcomes is higher. As a result, we propose that the exercise ECG be utilized on a regular basis in middle-aged asymptomatic individuals to measure the frequency of PVCs and stratify the risk of mortality.Systematic review registration[https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=328852], identifier [CRD42022328852].
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Iqbal
- Department of Cardiology and Vascular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine University of Padjadjaran, Bandung, Indonesia
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University Medical Center, Seoul, South Korea
- *Correspondence: Mohammad Iqbal,
| | - Iwan Cahyo Santosa Putra
- Department of Cardiology and Vascular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine University of Padjadjaran, Bandung, Indonesia
| | - William Kamarullah
- R. Syamsudin, SH Regional Public Hospital, Sukabumi, West Java, Indonesia
| | - Raymond Pranata
- Department of Cardiology and Vascular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine University of Padjadjaran, Bandung, Indonesia
| | - Chaerul Achmad
- Department of Cardiology and Vascular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine University of Padjadjaran, Bandung, Indonesia
| | - Giky Karwiky
- Department of Cardiology and Vascular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine University of Padjadjaran, Bandung, Indonesia
| | - Miftah Pramudyo
- Department of Cardiology and Vascular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine University of Padjadjaran, Bandung, Indonesia
| | - Hanna Goenawan
- Division of Physiology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine University of Padjadjaran, Bandung, Indonesia
| | - Mohammad Rizki Akbar
- Department of Cardiology and Vascular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine University of Padjadjaran, Bandung, Indonesia
| | | | - Young Hoon Kim
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University Medical Center, Seoul, South Korea
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Prognostic implications of structural heart disease and premature ventricular contractions in recovery of exercise. Sci Rep 2022; 12:10265. [PMID: 35715698 PMCID: PMC9205997 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-14535-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) during recovery of exercise stress testing are associated with increased cardiovascular mortality, but the cause remains unknown. We aimed to evaluate the association of PVCs during recovery with echocardiographic abnormalities, and their combined prognostic performance. Echocardiographic abnormalities [reduced left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction, valvular heart disease, LV dilatation, LV hypertrophy, or increased filling pressures] and PVCs during recovery were identified among patients having undergone both echocardiography and exercise stress test. Among included patients (n = 3106, age 59 ± 16 years, 55% males), PVCs during recovery were found in 1327 (43%) patients, among which the prevalence of echocardiographic abnormalities was increased (58% vs. 43%, p < 0.001). Overall, PVCs during recovery were associated with increased cardiovascular mortality (219 total events, 7.9 [5.4–11.1] years follow-up; adjusted hazard ratio (HR [95% confidence interval]) 1.6 [1.2–2.1], p < 0.001). When analyzed in combination with either presence or absence of echocardiographic abnormalities, PVCs during recovery were associated with increased risk when such were present (HR 3.3 [1.9–5.5], p < 0.001) but not when absent (HR 1.5 [0.8–2.8], p = 0.22), in reference to those with neither. Our findings provide mechanistic insights to the increased CV risk reported in patients with PVCs during recovery.
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Refaat MM, Gharios C, Moorthy MV, Abdulhai F, Blumenthal RS, Jaffa MA, Mora S. Exercise-Induced Ventricular Ectopy and Cardiovascular Mortality in Asymptomatic Individuals. J Am Coll Cardiol 2021; 78:2267-2277. [PMID: 34857087 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacc.2021.09.1366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Revised: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The prognosis of exercise-induced premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) in asymptomatic individuals is unclear. OBJECTIVES This study sought to investigate whether high-grade PVCs during stress testing predict mortality in asymptomatic individuals. METHODS A cohort of 5,486 asymptomatic individuals who took part in the Lipid Research Clinics prospective cohort had baseline interview, physical examination, blood tests, and underwent Bruce protocol treadmill testing. Adjusted Cox survival models evaluated the association of exercise-induced high-grade PVCs (defined as either frequent (>10 per minute), multifocal, R-on-T type, or ≥2 PVCs in a row) with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. RESULTS Mean baseline age was 45.4 ± 10.8 years; 42% were women. During a mean follow-up of 20.2 ± 3.9 years, 840 deaths occurred, including 311 cardiovascular deaths. High-grade PVCs occurred during exercise in 1.8% of individuals, during recovery in 2.4%, and during both in 0.8%. After adjusting for age, sex, diabetes, hypertension, lipids, smoking, body mass index, and family history of premature coronary disease, high-grade PVCs during recovery were associated with cardiovascular mortality (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.82; 95% CI: 1.19-2.79; P = 0.006), which remained significant after further adjusting for exercise duration, heart rate recovery, achieving target heart rate, and ST-segment depression (HR: 1.68; 95% CI: 1.09-2.60; P = 0.020). Results were similar by clinical subgroups. High-grade PVCs occurring during the exercise phase were not associated with increased risk. Recovery PVCs did not improve 20-year cardiovascular mortality risk discrimination beyond clinical variables. CONCLUSIONS High-grade PVCs occurring during recovery were associated with long-term risk of cardiovascular mortality in asymptomatic individuals, whereas PVCs occurring only during exercise were not associated with increased risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marwan M Refaat
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiology, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, American University of Beirut Faculty of Medicine, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Charbel Gharios
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiology, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon; Cardiovascular Imaging Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - M Vinayaga Moorthy
- Center for Lipid Metabolomics, Divisions of Preventive and Cardiovascular Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Farah Abdulhai
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiology, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Roger S Blumenthal
- The Johns Hopkins Ciccarone Center for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Miran A Jaffa
- Epidemiology and Population Health Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon.
| | - Samia Mora
- Center for Lipid Metabolomics, Divisions of Preventive and Cardiovascular Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
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Dzikowicz DJ, Carey MG. Severity of Myocardial Ischemia Is Related to Career Length Rather Than Age Among Professional Firefighters. Workplace Health Saf 2021; 69:168-173. [PMID: 33514296 DOI: 10.1177/2165079920984080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ischemic heart disease (IHD) is the major cause of duty-related fatalities in the fire service. Age and career length are not only important risk factors associated with IHD, but are also highly correlated. The aim of this secondary analyses was to assess the relationship between age, career length, and IHD, based on ischemic severity, to identify whether age or career length had a stronger relationship to IHD. METHODS This was a secondary, correlational analysis of on-duty firefighters without known cardiovascular or respiratory disease who underwent exercise treadmill testing with 12-lead electrocardiography. Ischemia was defined based on current guidelines. Maximum ST-segment depression was measured to determine IHD ischemic severity. Age, years of employment, demographics, weight, blood pressure were recorded. Multiple correlations were computed between age, career length, and IHD. FINDINGS Twenty-two firefighters were included (96% male, 82% White, 82% overweight or obese, 77% hypertensive). The partial correlation between maximum ST-segment depression and age controlled for career length was not significant (r = -.392, p = .079). The partial correlation between maximum ST-segment depression and career length controlled for age was statistically significant (r = .466, p = .033). CONCLUSION/APPLICATION TO PRACTICE Career length, not age, moderately correlates with IHD ischemic severity among firefighters. Career length is a proxy measure of occupational exposures which contributes to IHD. When assessing IHD risk in firefighters, health practitioners should consider incorporating the occupational exposure history (i.e., career length) in addition to age when providing risk reduction services.
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The Unintended Consequences of Subjective Assessments and the Need for Objective Measurement in Emergency Departments. J Cardiovasc Nurs 2020; 35:E9-E10. [DOI: 10.1097/jcn.0000000000000724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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