Key result
Higher occupational stress in firefighters was significantly correlated with lower cardiorespiratory fitness, increased arterial stiffness, and poorer sleep quality.
Why the study?
This study investigated the correlations between firefighters' occupational stress and cardiorespiratory fitness, arterial stiffness, heart rate variability, and sleep quality.
Does occupational stress correlate with cardiorespiratory fitness, arterial stiffness, heart rate variability, and sleep quality in male firefighters?
Cross-Sectional (n=705)
No
Does occupational stress correlate with cardiorespiratory fitness, arterial stiffness, heart rate variability, and sleep quality in male firefighters?
Effect estimate: r = 0.276
Absolute Event Rate: 10.23% vs 8.28%
p-value: p=<0.001
Higher occupational stress in firefighters is significantly correlated with reduced cardiorespiratory fitness, increased arterial stiffness, and poorer sleep quality, highlighting a potential mechanism for elevated cardiovascular risk.
Occupational stress screening may flag higher-risk firefighters; leaves open causal effects and intervention benefits.
This study investigated the correlations between firefighters' occupational stress and cardiorespiratory fitness, arterial stiffness, heart rate variability, and sleep quality. We examined 705 male firefighters aged 40-50 years in Seoul City, Korea from November 2016-December 2017. The Occupational stress scale was used to evaluate occupational stress; an exercise stress test was administered to measure participants' maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max); brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity was used to measure firefighters' arterial stiffness; their autonomic nervous system activities were analyzed to determine heart rate variability (HRR); and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index was used to assess their sleep quality. We divided the sample population into tertile groups per their occupational stress scores; i.e., low-stress group (n = 233), medium-stress group (n = 237), and high-stress group (n = 235). They were compared per each indicator and correlations were examined. There was a significant difference in VO2max (p < .01), and arterial stiffness (p < .001) according to occupational stress levels. Occupational stress was significantly correlated with cardiorespiratory fitness (r = -.820, p < .05), arterial stiffness (r = .085, p < .05), and sleep quality (r = .276, p < .001), but not HRR. In conclusion, Firefighters' occupational stress is a key factor behind their elevated risk of cardiovascular diseases; therefore, we recommend programs aimed at reducing their occupational stress and preventing cardiovascular diseases.
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Young-Sook Yook (2019) conducted a cross-sectional in Occupational stress and cardiovascular risk factors (n=705). Occupational stress vs. Low occupational stress was evaluated on Sleep quality (PSQI total score) (r = 0.276, p=<0.001). Higher occupational stress in firefighters was significantly correlated with lower cardiorespiratory fitness, increased arterial stiffness, and poorer sleep quality.
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