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.