CVD mortality risk lower than average in flight crews compared to miners: BMJ
A systematic review evaluating intermittent exposure of workers to hypoxic conditions and the prevalence of certain types of cardiovascular diseases has been published in the BMJ Open.
In a recent development , results of a new study have pointed out that cardiovascular disease mortality in flight crews is lower than average, whereas miners and soldiers exposed to intermittent hypoxia experience increased risks of cardiovascular diseases.
Previously, Numerous studies have investigated the physiological and clinical consequences of residence at high altitude. Distinct physiological phenotypes with increased haematocrit (Hct) and haemoglobin (Hb) concentration exist in some, but not all, high altitude populations.
Systemic hypoxia at altitude manifests as an oxygen saturation lower than the sea-level normal of ~98%. At altitudes higher than ~2500 m,5 the sigmoidal shape of the blood oxygen saturation curve is no longer enough to protect against systemic hypoxia, and saturation drops to ~95% at 2000 m and down to ~84% at 5000 m.6 It is well described that unacclimatised humans can experience acute mountain sickness after less than 6 hours of hypoxic exposure at >2500 m, including pulmonary and cerebral oedema,pulmonary hypertension and elevated mean arterial pressure. To date,no systematic review has addressed whether the frequent change of environment entails cardiovascular health implications.
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