Occupational noise and cardiovascular risk by exaggerated blood pressure response at exercise in exposed workers

There has been increasing evidence for the relationship between hypertension and other coronary risk factors, and occupational noise exposure. The objective of this study was to investigate if exaggerated blood preasure response to exercise testing is a good tool for cardiovascular risk stratification in relation to occupational noise exposure.

Methods:Normotensive male workers (Systolic blood pressure SBP < 140 mmHg and diastolic DBP <90 mmHg) in one of the industrial facilities in Alexandria from three departments of different levels of noise exposure were included [compressor operators (high noise), maintenance workers (low noise) & administrative staff (controls)]. Each group comprized 50 workers and their personal noise exposure was measured. For all participants resting and peak exercise standard ergometer test hemodynamic variables including heart rate, SBP & DBP were measured as well as other conventional coronary risk factros and perceived noise annoyance. Results showed that multivariate logistic regression with exaggerated blood pressure response at exercise as dependent variable (peak PSBP >200 mmHg and/or PDBP >95 mmHg) was independently related to noise exposure level, perceived noise annoyance, resting heart rate and LDL-cholesterol (p <0.05 for all).

Conclusions: It seems that exaggerated BP response to exercise is a reasonable tool for early detection of high risk noise exposed workers in occupational health preventive programs.