An Exploratory Cross-Sectional Study on Cardiac Rhythm Disorders in Women Working in IT Sector and Non-IT Sector Establishments in Hyderabad Using Continuous Ambulatory Wireless Cardiac Monitoring

BACKGROUND: Screening for cardiac arrhythmias provides an advantage in care by enabling the discovery of the causes and planning of prevention strategies through digital transformation. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to screen women working in the information and technology (IT) and non-IT sectors who face stress from work and home responsibilities for cardiac rhythm disturbances using ambulatory monitoring and to assess several associated risk factors. METHODOLOGY: The study was conducted to screen women for cardiac rhythm disorders. The stress levels of all participants were assessed using a questionnaire. Differences in parameters such as heart rate variability, frequency-corrected QT (QTc), and heart rate between women in the IT sector and those in non-IT sectors were compared. RESULTS: In the IT sector, 109 women were screened, and 4.58% were found to have cardiac arrhythmias. Specifically, two cases of second-degree AV block (type 1), two cases of atrial tachycardia in the 21 to 30-year-old age group, and one case of sinus pause were identified. In comparison, among 109 women from the non-IT sector, only 2.75% had arrhythmias, including one case of atrial fibrillation and two cases of second-degree AV block (type 2) in the age group of 51 to 58. Except for the minimum heart rate, all other parameters such as heart rate variability, QTc prolongation, and maximum heart rate were elevated among women in the IT sector, indicating a potential stress factor. CONCLUSION: This technology transformation implies the need for simpler screening tools to nurture new preventive lifestyle strategies.