Systolic and diastolic blood pressure among three groups of occupation

It is believed that occupation influences cardiovascular risk factors. To assess blood pressure [BP] and other cardiovascular risk factors in three occupation groups-teachers, military personnel and female housekeepers residing in Shiraz, southern Iran. We studied 2783 teachers, 366 military personnel, and 1896 female housekeepers who attended various medical education centers in Shiraz. BP, anthropometric parameters as well as fasted lipid profile and blood glucose level were measured determined for each participant. The mean values of all analyzed cardiovascular risk factors were higher among female housekeepers compared to female teachers. The mean systolic and diastolic BP was significantly [<0.001, and P=0.047, respectively] higher in female housekeepers than female teachers. Neither systolic nor diastolic BP had association with the type of occupation in men [military personnel vs. male teachers]. Housekeeping compared to teaching, may increase both systolic and diastolic BP in women

Correlation between cigarette smoking and blood pressure and pulse pressure among teachers residing in Shiraz, southern Iran

Hypertension [HTN] affects nearly 26% of the adult population worldwide. Assessment of factors which influence blood pressure is a major topic for public health. One of these preventable risk factors is smoking. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 3115 [1842 [59.1%] females] teachers from Shiraz. The participants aged between 21 and 73 years. A questionnaire was used to collect data on several cardiovascular disease risk factors including smoking and blood pressure. The prevalence of smoking in our study group was 5.85%; 1.52% of the studied participants were ex-smokers. The prevalence of pre-HTN and HTN [JNC VII] was 42.6% and 18.2%, respectively. HTN was more prevalent among men and elderly people. Pre-HTN was more prevalent in smokers but HTN was more frequent in non-smokers. The mean rang of systolic and diastolic HTN, and pulse pressure was greater in heavy smokers than those who smoked <20 packs year, although the difference was not statically significant. The relation between the smoking status and blood pressure is not yet obvious. However, it seems that cessation or at least reduction in the amount of smoking would significantly decrease blood pressure

Correlation between fasting blood sugar and resting blood pressure in teachers residing in Shiraz, Iran 2009

Coronary Artery Disease [CAD] is the major cause of morbidity and mortality. The knowledge about correlation between the different risk factors of CAD provides valuable information for prediction and prevention of the disease in a specific population.The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between fasting blood sugar [FBS] and resting blood pressure in teachers residing in Shiraz, Iran. A total of 3115 teachers from different educational centers of Shiraz, Iran were interviewed in this cross sectional study. The data obtained comprised demographic information including age, sex, and history of hypertension [HTN], diabetes mellitus [DM], and current use of medications. Other parameters measured were height, weight, fasting blood sugar [FBS] and resting blood pressure [BP] as well as calculating the body mass index [BMI]. Out of all the cases studied, undiagnosed and/or untreated cases of diabetes and hypertension were 1.5% and 15.2% respectively. FBS was higher in the elderly and in cases with higher BMI, but without any significant difference in relation to sex. The prevalence of HTN was higher in males, in older cases and in those with higher BMI. A significant relationship was observed between FBS and resting BP in hypertensive and prehypertensive groups [P < 0.001] as compared to normotensive subjects. There was a significant correlation between FBS and resting BP in hypertensive and prehypertensive teachers residing in Shiraz,Iran. But this correlation was not present in the vast majority of the population with normal resting blood pressure. The prevalence of neglected DM and HTN in this population was high enough to warrant regular screening

Correlation between HDL-C and smoking in teachers residing in Shiraz, Iran

It has been established that serum HDL-C is a main predictor for cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship of HDL-C to smoking in teachers residing in Shiraz in order to improve the health status of the group under study and community as a whole. The present study comprised a total of 3115 teachers working in Shiraz recruited in a prospective cohort study. Of these, two groups of 235 smokers and 235 non-smokers were randomly selected for evaluation of cardiovascular risk factors, and to determine any association between serum HDL-C, LDL, triglyceride [TG], systolic and diastolic blood pressure with smoking, gender and BMI. One way ANOVA, Pearson correlation and independent sample t tests by SPSS version 16 were used for statistical analysis and all means were followed by SD. Mean age of subjects was 45.5+/-6.7 years. Of smokers 4.7% were females. Among smokers males had a significantly higher mean of HDL [P=0.002] compared to females [42 vs. 32.4 mg/dl]. HDL level was significantly lower [P<0.001] in heavy smokers compared to non-smokers and light smokers [36.5 vs 41.7 and 43.5]. However, light smokers had a higher mean of HDL than non-smokers, although the difference was not statistically significant [43.5 vs. 41.7 mg/dl, P=0.131]. Serum HDL was not affected by other factors. Smoking was associated with a low serum HDL in the subjects under study who were intellectual class of the population. It is thus warranted to take preventive measures to combat cardiovascular diseases in this sector of community

relationship between body mass index and pre-diabetes in teachers residing in Shiraz-Iran 2009

Diabetes and cardiovascular diseases often go hand in hand and conversely, many patients with established coronary heart disease suffer from diabetes or its pre-states. Thus, it is high time that diabetologists and cardiologists join their forces to improve the quality management in diagnosis and care for the millions of patients who have both cardiovascular and metabolic diseases in common. The cardio-diabetological approach not only is of utmost importance for the sake of those patients, but also instrumental for further progress in the fields of cardiology and diabetology and prevention. This descriptive cross- sectional study was conducted February to December 2009. A total of 3115 teachers residing in Shiraz aged 21- 73 years, were enrolled. Questionnaires were applied to collect information including demographic data, physical activity, history of CAD, hypertension, dyslipidemia,and smoking. In addition, waist circumference, height, weight, body mass index [BMI], and hip circumference [HC] were measured and serum biochemistry profiles were determined on venous blood samples. The prevalence of diabetes, hypercholesterolemia,hypertriglyceridemia, hypertension, overweight, obesity, central obesity, and smoking were identified based on the above mentioned data. Total prevalence of impaired fasting glucose and diabetes were 47.2% and 6.2% and the prevalence of impaired fasting glucose and diabetes were 44.3% and 5.3% among men and 49.2% and 6.6% among women respectively. Thus the association of sex with prevalent impaired fasting glucose and diabetes was signi?cant and greater among women. Diabetes and prediabetes are more prevalent in men and women who are considered as obese in regard to waist circumference and waist/hip ratio scales. This study showed a relationship between higher range of BMI and prevalence of diabetes and prediabetes. Obesity is a preventable risk factor for diabetes mellitus and preventive measures taken to control obesity are effective means of reducing the risk of diabetes mellitus and also cardiovascular disease

Left ventricular non-compaction with associated anomalies: a rare congenital cardiomyopathy

A 22-year-old man was admitted with chief complaint of dyspnea on exertion. The patient had a history of operation 10 years ago for coarctation of the aorta. Transthoracic echocardiography showed bicuspid aortic valve, aortic regurgitation, left ventricular [LV] enlargement with ejection fraction of 45%, and a deeply trabeculated LV with deep intertrabecular recesses communicating with left ventricular cavity as demonstrated by color Doppler flow, the characteristic of the left ventricular noncompaction. Medical therapy and aortic valve replacement was performed. In the follow up, he was free of symptoms 12 months later

Tunnel type left ventricular outflow tract obstruction: an unusual complex congenital cardiac anomaly in adult

A 24-year-old man, referred to our center with generalized body edema and hypotension. He had a complex congenital heart disease that finally discharged after konno operation

influence of right ventricular apical pacing on left atrial volume in patients with normal left ventricular function

Right ventricular apical [RVA] pacing has been reported to induce several deleterious effects particularly in the presence of structural heart disease but can also involve patients with normal left ventricular [LV] function. Left atrial [LA] enlargement is one of these effects, but the majority of studies have measured LA dimension rather than volume. The present prospective study was designed to assess the effect of RVA pacing on LA volume in patients with normal LV function. The study comprised 41 consecutive patients with LV ejection fraction >= 45% and LV end diastolic dimension <= 56 mm who underwent single-or dual- chamber pacemaker implantation in RVA and followed for LA volume measurement and pacemaker analysis at least during the ensuing 4.2 months. In all, 21 patients were excluded from the study due to five spontaneous wide QRS complex [>=120msec], one recent acute coronary syndrome,one significant valvular heart disease, three pacing frequency <90%, eight death or losing follow up in three cases. In remaining 20 patients, LA volume ragned from 21 to 54 mm3 with mean of 37.3 +/- 9.7 mm3 prior to pacemaker implantation that increased to 31 to 103 mm3 [54.3 +/- 17.0] during follow-up [P<0.001]. RVA pacing might lead to an increase in LA volume even in patients with normal LV function

Trapping of TEE probe during transesophageal echocardiography

Transesophageal echocardiography is a useful method in cardiovascular diagnosis and preoperative care, being a safe procedure it carries significant complications. This is a report of transesophageal echocardiography complication by possible esophageal spasm in a young cardiac patients