scholarly journals Firefighter hemodynamic responses to different fire training environments

2021 ◽  
pp. 1358863X2098760
Author(s):  
Elizabeth C Lefferts ◽  
Alexander J Rosenberg ◽  
Georgios Grigoriadis ◽  
Sang Ouk Wee ◽  
Stephen Kerber ◽  
...  

Firefighting is associated with an increased risk for a cardiovascular (CV) event, likely due to increased CV strain. The increase in CV strain during firefighting can be attributed to the interaction of several factors such as the strenuous physical demand, sympathetic nervous system activation, increased thermal burden, and the environmental exposure to smoke pollutants. Characterizing the impact of varying thermal burden and pollutant exposure on hemodynamics may help understand the CV burden experienced during firefighting. The purpose of this study was to examine the hemodynamic response of firefighters to training environments created by pallets and straw; oriented strand board (OSB); or simulated fire/smoke (fog). Twenty-three firefighters had brachial blood pressure measured and central blood pressure and hemodynamics estimated from the pressure waveform at baseline, and immediately and 30 minutes after each scenario. The training environment did not influence the hemodynamic response over time (interaction, p > 0.05); however, OSB scenarios resulted in higher pulse wave velocity and blood pressure (environment, p < 0.05). In conclusion, conducting OSB training scenarios appears to create the largest arterial burden in firefighters compared to other scenarios in this study. Environmental thermal burden in combination with the strenuous exercise, and psychological and environmental stress placed on firefighters should be considered when designing fire training scenarios and evaluating CV risk.

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (17) ◽  
pp. 1673-1683 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Böhm ◽  
João Pedro Ferreira ◽  
Felix Mahfoud ◽  
Kevin Duarte ◽  
Bertram Pitt ◽  
...  

Abstract Aims The described association of low diastolic blood pressure (DBP) with increased cardiovascular outcomes could be due to reduced coronary perfusion or is simply due to reverse causation. If DBP is physiologically relevant, coronary reperfusion after myocardial infarction (MI) might influence DBP–risk association. Methods and results The relation of achieved DBP with cardiovascular death or cardiovascular hospitalization, cardiovascular death, and all-cause death was explored in 5929 patients after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) with impaired left ventricular function, signs and symptoms of heart failure, or diabetes in the EPHESUS trial according to their reperfusion status. Cox regression models were used to assess the impact of reperfusion status on the association of DBP and systolic blood pressure (SBP) with outcomes in an adjusted fashion. In patients without reperfusion, lower DBP &lt;70 mmHg was associated with increased risk for all-cause death [adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) 1.80, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.41–2.30; P &lt; 0.001], cardiovascular death (HR 1.70, 95% CI 1.3–3.22; P &lt; 0.001), cardiovascular death or cardiovascular hospitalization (HR 1.54, 95% CI 1.26–1.87; P &lt; 0.001). In patients with reperfusion, the risk increase at low DBP was not observed. At low SBP, risk increased independently of reperfusion. A sensitivity analysis in the subgroup of patients with optimal SBP of 120–130 mmHg showed again risk reduction of reperfusion at low DBP. Adding the treatment allocation to eplerenone or placebo into the models had no effects on the results. Conclusion Patients after AMIs with a low DBP had an increased risk, which was sensitive to reperfusion therapy. Low blood pressure after MI identifies in patients with particular higher risk. These data support the hypothesis that low DBP in patients with stenotic coronary lesions is associated with risk, potentially involving coronary perfusion pressure and the recommendations provided by guidelines suggesting lower DBP boundaries for these high-risk patients.


2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
M Burnier ◽  
L R Ruilope ◽  
G B Bader ◽  
S D Durg ◽  
P B Brunel

Abstract Background Blood pressure (BP) control is critical in delaying the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD), which otherwise results in an increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) or angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, are recommended by several guidelines as first-line treatment for patients with hypertension and CKD. Purpose We reviewed and analysed the effect of ARB treatment on BP and renal outcomes (estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), serum creatinine (SCr), creatinine clearance (CrCl) or proteinuria) in patients with hypertension and CKD with or without diabetes, including large clinical trials such as RENAAL and IDNT. Methods MEDLINE, EMBASE, and BIOSIS databases were searched for literature from the earliest available date to July 2017. Randomised (parallel-group) controlled trials of ≥8 weeks assessed the impact of ARBs on systolic/diastolic BP (SBP/DBP), eGFR, SCr, CrCl or proteinuria were included in the analysis. Meta-analysis (post- versus pre-treatment) and meta-regression were conducted in R-statistical software (v3.4.1) using meta- and metafor-packages. Mean difference (MD, generic inverse variance) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) was used to pool data for an outcome in a single forest plot. The risk of bias (quality) of included studies was assessed by the six items of the Cochrane instrument. Results Of the 165 articles assessed for eligibility, 24 studies were included in the analysis (19 evaluated ARBs as monotherapy, 4 evaluated ARBs in combination with other antihypertensives and 1 evaluated ARBs both as mono- and combination therapy). Treatment with ARBs as monotherapy for ≥8 weeks to <1 year significantly reduced mean office SBP (MD, −12.60 mmHg; 95% CI, −18.53 to −6.67)/DBP (−6.52 mmHg; −11.27 to −1.77) (p<0.01). BP reduction was also significant (p<0.01) with ARB monotherapy for ≥1 year SBP (−14.84 mmHg; −17.82 to −11.85)/DBP (−10.27 mmHg; −12.26 to −8.27). ARBs also significantly reduced SBP/DBP when combined with other antihypertensive treatments for ≥8 weeks to <1 year as well as for ≥1 year (Figure). Moreover, ARBs induced significant reductions (p<0.01) in proteinuria (≥8 weeks to <1 year [MD, −0.6 g/L; 95% CI, −0.93 to −0.26; ≥1 year [−0.9 g/L; −1.22 to −0.59]), but no significant changes in eGFR, CrCl or SCr levels. The beneficial effect of ARBs was maintained overtime with no significant additional impact on SBP change (estimate: 0.025; 95% CI, –0.14 to 0.19) or eGFR (estimate: 0.068; 95% CI, −0.14 to 0.28; p=0.53). The overall risk of bias was judged to be low. Effect of ARBs on blood pressure changes Conclusion Treatment with ARBs effectively and sustainably lowered BP and proteinuria with no significant change in eGFR in patients with hypertension and CKD with or without diabetes.


Hypertension ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 75 (2) ◽  
pp. 309-315 ◽  
Author(s):  
So-Ryoung Lee ◽  
You-Jung Choi ◽  
Eue-Keun Choi ◽  
Kyung-Do Han ◽  
Euijae Lee ◽  
...  

Blood pressure variability is a well-known risk factor for cardiovascular disease, but its association with atrial fibrillation (AF) is uncertain. We aimed to evaluate the association between visit-to-visit blood pressure variability and incident AF. This population-based cohort study used database from the Health Screening Cohort, which contained a complete set of medical claims and a biannual health checkup information of the Koran population. A total of 8 063 922 individuals who had at least 3 health checkups with blood pressure measurement between 2004 and 2010 were collected after excluding subjects with preexisting AF. Blood pressure variability was defined as variability independence of the mean and was divided into 4 quartiles. During a mean follow-up of 6.8 years, 140 086 subjects were newly diagnosed with AF. The highest blood pressure variability (fourth quartile) was associated with an increased risk of AF (hazard ratio, 95% CI; systolic blood pressure: 1.06, 1.05–1.08; diastolic blood pressure: 1.07, 1.05–1.08) compared with the lowest (first quartile). Among subjects in the fourth quartile in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure variability, the risk of AF was 7.6% higher than those in the first quartile. Moreover, this result was consistent in both patients with or without prevalent hypertension. In subgroup analysis, the impact of high blood pressure variability on AF development was stronger in high-risk subjects, who were older (≥65 years), with diabetes mellitus or chronic kidney disease. Our findings demonstrated that higher blood pressure variability was associated with a modestly increased risk of AF.


BMC Medicine ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary Ward ◽  
Catherine F. Hughes ◽  
J. J. Strain ◽  
Rosie Reilly ◽  
Conal Cunningham ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Genome-wide and clinical studies have linked the 677C→T polymorphism in the gene encoding methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) with hypertension, whilst limited evidence shows that intervention with riboflavin (i.e. the MTHFR co-factor) can lower blood pressure (BP) in hypertensive patients with the variant MTHFR 677TT genotype. We investigated the impact of this common polymorphism on BP throughout adulthood and hypothesised that riboflavin status would modulate the genetic risk of hypertension. Methods Observational data on 6076 adults of 18–102 years were drawn from the Joint Irish Nutrigenomics Organisation project, comprising the Trinity-Ulster Department of Agriculture (TUDA; volunteer sample) and the National Adult Nutrition Survey (NANS; population-based sample) cohorts. Participants were recruited from the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland (UK) in 2008–2012 using standardised methods. Results The variant MTHFR 677TT genotype was identified in 12% of adults. From 18 to 70 years, this genotype was associated with an increased risk of hypertension (i.e. systolic BP ≥ 140 and/or a diastolic BP ≥ 90 mmHg): odds ratio (OR) 1.42, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.07 to 1.90; P = 0.016, after adjustment for antihypertensive drug use and other significant factors, namely, age, male sex, BMI, alcohol and total cholesterol. Low or deficient biomarker status of riboflavin (observed in 30.2% and 30.0% of participants, respectively) exacerbated the genetic risk of hypertension, with a 3-fold increased risk for the TT genotype in combination with deficient riboflavin status (OR 3.00, 95% CI, 1.34–6.68; P = 0.007) relative to the CC genotype combined with normal riboflavin status. Up to 65 years, we observed poorer BP control rates on antihypertensive treatment in participants with the TT genotype (30%) compared to those without this variant, CT (37%) and CC (45%) genotypes (P < 0.027). Conclusions The MTHFR 677TT genotype is associated with higher BP independently of homocysteine and predisposes adults to an increased risk of hypertension and poorer BP control with antihypertensive treatment, whilst better riboflavin status is associated with a reduced genetic risk. Riboflavin intervention may thus offer a personalised approach to prevent the onset of hypertension in adults with the TT genotype; however, this requires confirmation in a randomised trial in non-hypertensive adults.


Hypertension ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 66 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
John Henry H Dasinger ◽  
Suttira Intapad ◽  
Miles A Backstrom ◽  
Anthony J Carter ◽  
Barbara T Alexander

Low birth weight is associated with increased risk for cardiovascular (CV) disease including hypertension in later life. We previously reported that reduced uterine perfusion (RUP) in timed pregnant Sprague Dawley (SD) dams purchased from Harlan induced intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) associated with hypertension and enhanced sensitivity to angiotensin II (Ang II) in male rats at 4 months of age. In addition, male IUGR exhibited a two-fold increase in testosterone relative to control. Upon castration, hypertension and sensitivity to Ang II were abolished suggesting that programmed CV risk is testosterone dependent in the male IUGR. The aim of this study was to determine if vendor differences in the SD strain impact CV risk following a developmental insult. Timed pregnant SD rats were purchased from Charles River and underwent either RUP or sham surgery at day 14 of gestation. Birth weight was significantly reduced in IUGR relative to control (P<0.05). At 4 months of age, body weight remained significantly decreased in male IUGR relative to control, blood pressure did not differ when measured in conscious, chronically instrumented animals, and male control and IUGR from Charles River also exhibited a similar blood pressure response to acute Ang II. However, baseline blood pressures were higher in male control from Charles River versus blood pressure previously noted for male control from Harlan. Thus, these results suggest that vendor specific differences in the SD rat strain influence baseline CV risk and effect the developmental programming of CV risk following slow fetal growth.


Hypertension ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 76 (6) ◽  
pp. 1945-1952
Author(s):  
Michael E. Ernst ◽  
Enayet K. Chowdhury ◽  
Lawrence J. Beilin ◽  
Karen L. Margolis ◽  
Mark R. Nelson ◽  
...  

High office blood pressure variability (OBPV) in midlife increases the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), but the impact of OBPV in older adults without previous CVD is unknown. We conducted a post hoc analysis of ASPREE trial (Aspirin in Reducing Events in the Elderly) participants aged 70-years and older (65 for US minorities) without history of CVD events at baseline, to examine risk of incident CVD associated with long-term, visit-to-visit OBPV. CVD was a prespecified, adjudicated secondary end point in ASPREE. We estimated OBPV using within-individual SD of mean systolic BP from baseline and first 2 annual visits. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to calculate hazard ratios (HR) and 95% CI for associations with CVD events. In 16 475 participants who survived to year 2 without events, those in the highest tertile of OBPV had increased risk of CVD events after adjustment for multiple covariates, when compared with participants in the lowest tertile (HR, 1.36 [95% CI, 1.08–1.70]; P =0.01). Similar increased risk was observed for ischemic stroke (HR, 1.56 [95% CI, 1.04–2.33]; P =0.03), heart failure hospitalization, or death (HR, 1.73 [95% CI, 1.07–2.79]; P =0.02), and all-cause mortality (HR, 1.27 [95% CI, 1.04–1.54]; P =0.02). Findings were consistent when stratifying participants by use of antihypertensive drugs, while sensitivity analyses suggested the increased risk was especially for individuals whose BP was uncontrolled during the OBPV estimation period. Our findings support increased OBPV as a risk factor for CVD events in healthy older adults with, or without hypertension, who have not had such events previously. Registration— URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov ; Unique identifiers: NCT01038583; URL: https://www.isrctn.com ; Unique identifiers: ISRCTN83772183.


2011 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-58 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Piedade Brandão ◽  
Francisco Luís Pimentel ◽  
Margarida Fonseca Cardoso

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of academic life on health status of university students. METHODS: Longitudinal study including 154 undergraduate students from the Universidade de Aveiro, Portugal, with at least two years of follow-up observations. Sociodemographic and behavioral characteristics were collected using questionnaires. Students' weight, height, blood pressure, serum glucose, serum lipids and serum homocysteine levels were measured. Regression analysis was performed using linear mixed-effect models, allowing for random effects at the participant level. RESULTS: A higher rate of dyslipidemia (44.0% vs. 28.6%), overweight (16.3% vs. 12.5%) and smoking (19.3% vs. 0.0%) was found among students exposed to the academic life when compared to freshmen. Physical inactivity was about 80%. Total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), triglycerides, systolic blood pressure, and physical activity levels were significantly associated with gender (p<0.001). Academic exposure was associated with increased low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) levels (about 1.12 times), and marginally with total cholesterol levels (p=0.041). CONCLUSIONS: High education level does not seem to have a protective effect favoring a healthier lifestyle and being enrolled in health-related areas does not seem either to positively affect students' behaviors. Increased risk factors for non-transmissible diseases in university students raise concerns about their well-being. These results should support the implementation of health promotion and prevention programs at universities.


2013 ◽  
Vol 125 (7) ◽  
pp. 311-318 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rodrigo Maranon ◽  
Jane F. Reckelhoff

In recent years, the interest in studying the impact of sex steroids and gender on the regulation of blood pressure and cardiovascular disease has been growing. Women are protected from most cardiovascular events compared with men until after menopause, and postmenopausal women are at increased risk of cardiovascular complications compared with premenopausal women. The pathophysiological mechanisms have not been elucidated, but are not likely to be as simple as the presence or absence of oestrogens, since hormone replacement therapy in elderly women in the Women's Health Initiative or HERS (Heart and Estrogen/progestin Replacement Study) did not provide primary or secondary prevention against cardiovascular events. Men are also thought to be at risk of cardiovascular disease at earlier ages than women, and these mechanisms too are not likely to be as simple as the presence of testosterone, since androgen levels fall in men with cardiovascular and other chronic diseases. In fact, many investigators now believe that it is the reduction in androgen levels that frequently accompanies chronic disease and may exacerbate cardiovascular disease in men. In the present review, the roles of sex steroids and gender in mediating or protecting against hypertension and cardiovascular disease will be discussed.


Author(s):  
Michael E. Ernst ◽  
Joanne Ryan ◽  
Enayet K. Chowdhury ◽  
Karen L. Margolis ◽  
Lawrence J. Beilin ◽  
...  

Background Blood pressure variability (BPV) in midlife increases risk of late‐life dementia, but the impact of BPV on the cognition of adults who have already reached older ages free of major cognitive deficits is unknown. We examined the risk of incident dementia and cognitive decline associated with long‐term, visit‐to‐visit BPV in a post hoc analysis of the ASPREE (Aspirin in Reducing Events in the Elderly) trial. Methods and Results ASPREE participants (N=19 114) were free of dementia and significant cognitive impairment at enrollment. Measurement of BP and administration of a standardized cognitive battery evaluating global cognition, delayed episodic memory, verbal fluency, and processing speed and attention occurred at baseline and follow‐up visits. Time‐to‐event analysis using Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to calculate hazard ratios (HR) and corresponding 95% CI for incident dementia and cognitive decline, according to tertile of SD of systolic BPV. Individuals in the highest BPV tertile compared with the lowest had an increased risk of incident dementia and cognitive decline, independent of average BP and use of antihypertensive drugs. There was evidence that sex modified the association with incident dementia (interaction P =0.02), with increased risk in men (HR, 1.68; 95% CI, 1.19–2.39) but not women (HR, 1.01; 95% CI, 0.72–1.42). For cognitive decline, similar increased risks were observed for men and women (interaction P =0.15; men: HR, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.16–1.59; women: HR, 1.14; 95% CI, 0.98–1.32). Conclusions High BPV in older adults without major cognitive impairment, particularly men, is associated with increased risks of dementia and cognitive decline. Registration URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov ; Unique identifier: NCT01038583; isrctn.com . Identifier: ISRCTN83772183.


2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (OCE2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Emma O'Sullivan ◽  
Laura Kehoe ◽  
Janette Walton ◽  
Helene McNulty ◽  
Mary Ward ◽  
...  

AbstractMeta-analyses of epidemiological data report that adults who carry a common polymorphism, the MTHFR 677C→T, in the gene encoding the folate-metabolising enzyme methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) have a 40% increased risk of CVD and an 87% increased risk of hypertension. Riboflavin (vitamin B2), in its co-enzymatic form flavin adenine nucleotide (FAD), is required as a co-factor by MTHFR and previous trials in hypertensive patients have shown a blood pressure lowering response to riboflavin supplementation that is specific to individuals homozygous for this polymorphism (TT genotype). Low folate status is commonly reported in adults with the TT genotype however the effect of this genetic variant on riboflavin status has not previously been investigated. The aim of this study, therefore, was to investigate dietary intake and biomarker status of riboflavin by MTHFR genotype in Irish adults using data from the National Adult Nutrition Survey (2008–2010) (www.iuna.net).A 4-day semi-weighed food record was used to collect food and beverage intake data from a representative sample of 1500 Irish adults (18–90 years). Dietary intake data were analysed using WISP© based on UK food composition tables (modified to include recipes of composite dishes, nutritional supplements, fortified foods and generic Irish foods that were commonly consumed). Usual intakes were calculated via the NCI-method using SAS© Enterprise Guide. Blood samples (n = 1126) were collected by venepuncture by a trained professional and were processed and analysed using standard operating procedures. Biomarker status of riboflavin was determined by erthyrocyte gluthathione reductase activation coefficient (EGRac), a functional assay that measures the activity of the enzyme glutathione reductase before and after in vitro activation with its prosthetic group FAD; a lower value indicates better status.It was found that 12% of the population had the TT genotype. As expected, there was no significant difference in riboflavin intake across the genotype (CC, CT or TT) groups. Similarly, no significant genotype differences in riboflavin status (EGRac) were observed (1.36 vs 1.37 vs 1.38 respectively). Overall, 61% of the total population had EGRac values > 1.3, indicative of low/deficient status with no significant difference observed between the genotype groups (60%,61% and 61%, respectively).These data suggest that riboflavin status is not influenced by the C677T polymorphism in MTHFR in this cohort of nationally representative Irish adults. Further research is needed to see the impact of riboflavin status on blood pressure across the genotype groups in this nationally representative cohort of Irish adults.


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