Electrocardiographic Responses to Deer Hunting in Men and Women
Steven D Verba1, Brock T Jensen1, Jeffrey S Lynn1
1Department of Exercise and Rehabilitative Sciences, Slippery Rock University, Slippery Rock, PA.
Insights
Deer hunting significantly elevates heart rate (HR) and triggers arrhythmias in participants, regardless of cardiovascular disease (CVD) status. These physiological responses highlight potential risks during hunting activities.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Physiology
- Sports Cardiology
- Environmental Health
Background:
- Deer hunting involves physiological stressors that can augment sympathetic activity and alter heart rate (HR) and rhythm.
- These superimposed stresses may elevate the risk of cardiovascular events in hunters.
- Understanding these responses is crucial for assessing hunting-related health risks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate heart rate (HR) and rhythm responses during various phases of deer hunting.
- To compare these responses in men and women, with and without pre-existing cardiovascular disease (CVD).
Main Methods:
- Nineteen participants (age 38.3 ± 13.8 years) underwent continuous HR and rhythm monitoring using a leadless electrocardiogram (ECG) patch.
- Data were collected during typical hunting routines, including hiking, climbing tree stands, and dragging deer carcasses.
- Participants' HR and rhythm were analyzed throughout the hunting activities.
Main Results:
- Substantial HR increases (≥85% HRmax) were observed during hiking, tree stand climbing, and carcass dragging.
- Clinically relevant arrhythmias, including premature atrial, junctional, and ventricular complexes, were detected in participants with and without CVD.
- Exercise-induced ischemic ECG changes were noted in one hunter during carcass dragging, and significant arrhythmias occurred during "buck fever" episodes.
Conclusions:
- Deer hunting activities induce significant physiological stress, marked by substantial increases in HR.
- Clinically relevant arrhythmias are common during deer hunting, affecting both individuals with and without cardiovascular disease (CVD).
- These findings underscore the potential cardiovascular risks associated with deer hunting.
Objective:
Deer hunting includes various stimuli resulting in augmented sympathetic activity, increased heart rate (HR) response, and rhythm changes. Collectively, these superimposed stresses may increase an individual's risk for cardiovascular events. We undertook this study to evaluate HR and rhythm responses in multiple phases of deer hunting in men and women with and without cardiovascular disease (CVD).
Methods:
Nineteen participants age 38.3 ± 13.8 years (mean ± SD) with body mass index 29.2 ± 6.9 kg/m(2) followed their normal hunting routine. HR and rhythm were recorded continuously during the hunt using a small leadless electrocardiogram (ECG) patch monitor.
Results:
Data were collected on 13 of 19 hunters while hiking. Three hunters recorded HR ≥85% of their age-predicted heart rate maximum (HRmax) for 1 to 2 minutes. Arrhythmias were detected in both participants with CVD and in 8 without CVD. Recorded rhythms included premature atrial, junctional, and ventricular complexes. Six hunters climbed a tree stand; 3 of them recorded HR ≥85% HRmax with sustained elevated HR response for 2 to 3 minutes with premature junctional contractions. Four of 19 participants dragged deer carcasses. During the drag, 1 male hunter recorded an HR of 91% HRmax, and another male hunter without CVD recorded an exercise-induced ischemic ECG. Fifteen of 19 hunters experienced "buck fever" (acute extreme excitation), with 7 reaching ≥85% HRmax for up to 1 minute. Ventricular bigeminy and trigeminy and ventricular couplets were observed in 1 subject during buck fever.
Conclusions:
Men and women with and without CVD recorded substantial increases in HR and clinically relevant arrhythmias while deer hunting.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Electrocardiogram
Three major waveforms are present in a typical ECG recording: the P wave, the QRS complex, and...
01:26Exercise Stress Test
Exercise stress testing, commonly known as a treadmill test, is a noninvasive procedure used to evaluate cardiovascular function and diagnose heart conditions.
Definition
An exercise stress test measures the heart's response to exertion using a treadmill or stationary bicycle. Chest electrodes record the heart's electrical activity through an ECG, and blood pressure is monitored regularly.
Purposes