High amplitude of R waves in electrocardiograms, and overload related to heaviness of work in the population of maritime workers.

Abstract

In the compass of 20 years 4705 electrocardiograms of maritime industry workers were subjected to evaluation. The population examined consisted of: 780 seamen and deep sea fishermen, 307 merchant marine officers over 40 years of age and 260 officers under 40, 1326 harbour workers who perform light and moderately heavy physical work, 363 harbour workers employed not directly at cargo loading, and 1023 hard working stevedores. The study group was sampled at random. 526 cases of left ventricle hypertrophy were revealed, including: LVH /p/ type--348, LVH /e/--82, LVH /m/--66, and LVH /s/--30 cases. Arterial hypertension according WHO standards was diagnosed in 334 people. 38 people with arterial hypertension showed LVH with ST-T disorders. The highest proportion of LVH /p/ and ecg with traits of vagotony were found in the stevedores performing heavy and very heavy work. In the group of seamen and deep sea fishermen LVH /p/ hypertrophy was manifest in 2.3%, all LVH cases totally in 5.9%, and traits of vagotony in 10.0% of subjects. All the LVH cases with ST-T changes in the study material were associated with the arterial hypertension and few cases with other pathology. Features of LVH /p/ in the groups examined as well as in the individual evaluation were connected with a high level of physical activity.