Stress and ectopic beats in ships' pilots

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Psychophysiology

Background:

• Ectopic beats are common findings in electrocardiograms (ECGs).
• Aberrant contour ectopic beats are often associated with underlying cardiac pathology.
• The role of stress in precipitating ectopic beats is a subject of ongoing discussion.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the occurrence of ectopic beats in a professional setting.
• To explore the relationship between ectopic beats, psychological factors, and occupational stress.

Main Methods:

• Long-term ambulatory electrocardiogram (ECG) recordings were obtained from ship pilots during work.
• ECG recordings were analyzed for aberrant beats using both visual and computer-based methods.
• Participants completed the Eysenck Personality Inventory to assess neuroticism.

Main Results:

• Subjects with frequent aberrant beats showed more clinical ECG abnormalities (p < 0.02) and higher neuroticism scores (p < 0.05) compared to controls.
• Aberrant beats predominantly occurred during demanding occupational activities, such as maneuvering ships in hazardous situations.
• Periods with frequent aberrant beats were associated with significant increases in heart rate.
• Traditional coronary risk factors (serum cholesterol, overweight) did not differentiate between subjects with high and low aberrant beat frequency.

Conclusions:

• Occupational stress and psychological factors, specifically neuroticism, are associated with an increased frequency of ectopic beats.
• Aberrant ectopic beats during demanding tasks may be a physiological response to stress rather than solely indicative of pathology.
• Further research is needed to elucidate the complex interplay between stress, personality, and cardiac electrophysiology.