State of circulatory system in equipment operators working in harbour.

Abstract

A group of harbour workers was examined: 127 operators of mechanic equipment, 74 cranemen, 55 container stevedores, 36 hoistmen. The control group consisted of 49 electricians. Mean age of the subjects was: 37.1 +/- 7.7 years, working experience averaged 15.5 +/- 7.4 years. All the examined workers were subjected to ecg, phonocardiographic examinations and to the physical analysis of circulation according to Wezler-Boerger and Braemser-Ranke. Heart beat rate at rest did not show statistically significant differences (p > 0.05). In the measurements of the diastolic and systolic pressure at rest statistically significant differences between the controls and the other groups were found. Arterial hypertension (160 mmHg and over the systolic pressure, and 95 mmHg and over diastolic pressure) was found in 21% mechanic equipment operators, 15% cranemen, 11% container stevedores, 8% hoistmen. 341 Ecg recordings were evaluated with the Minnesota Code, no pathologies in Q or QS were revealed. Features of the parasympathetic system effect were noted in 24% of the people examined. Alterations within ST-T segment were observed in the people showing arterial hypertension. Features of the sympathetic system impact were registered in 9% of cases. In phonocarcdiographic examinations 3 cases of compensated heart defects were revealed. The parameters obtained from the physical analysis were evaluated in the subjects with an appropriate weight, obesity and arterial hypertension. By comparison of mean rates of the central pulse, electric resistance, stroke and minute volume and air chamber volume statistically significant differences were found (p < 0.001). Evaluating the whole of the results a risk of the heart ischemic disease was found in 1/4 of the people examined. The changes observed were associated with individual factors, not with the job performed.