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What happens to blood pressure when on-call?
C del Arco-Galán1, C Súarez-Fernández, R Gabriel-Sánchez
1Internal Medicine Department, Hospital de la Princesa, Autonoma University, Madrid, Spain.
American Journal of Hypertension
|May 1, 1994
Summary
On-call days significantly elevate physicians' blood pressure (BP) compared to normal days. Familial history of hypertension and professional status are key factors influencing this BP reactivity during stressful work.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Cardiovascular Physiology
- Medical Research
Background:
- Physicians experience high-stress work environments.
- Understanding the impact of on-call duties on cardiovascular health is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure (BP) of physicians on-call versus during normal days.
- To identify factors associated with blood pressure reactivity in a stress situation.
Main Methods:
- A self-comparison study involving 100 emergency room physicians.
- 24-hour ambulatory BP monitoring using an automated auscultatory device.
- Analysis of BP during whole day, awake, and sleep periods.
Main Results:
- On-call days showed significantly higher average BP values and BP load for both systolic and diastolic pressure.
- 83% of subjects had increased systolic BP, with 40% showing a pressor response ≥ 10 mm Hg.
- 93% of subjects had increased diastolic BP, with 23% showing a pressor response ≥ 10 mm Hg.
Conclusions:
- Being on-call significantly alters ambulatory BP profiles in physicians.
- Familial history of hypertension and professional status are key determinants of BP reactivity.
- Age, sex, personality, and smoking were not associated with BP pressor response.