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International Journal of Recent Trends in Science and Technology, ISSN 2277-2812 E-ISSN: 2249-8109

Volume 6, Issue 2, March 2013 pp 98-103

Research Article

Study of Changes in Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Risk Factors Due to Stress Using Physiological and Biochemical Profiles in Professional Urban Bus Drivers

 Mohd. Rasheeduddin Imran¹, B. Syamala Devi²

Academic Editor : Dr. Aher K.R.

Background:  Driving bus in urban area is a demanding job and requires lot of physical and mental stability to perform the task with minimal hazards. The bus drivers are under continuous stress during the working hours and are prone for many diseases related to the changes induced by the stress, especially the cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Aims: To examine the hemodynamic and biochemical changes in urban bus drivers which are the markers of increased cardiovascular and cerebrovascular risk and to signify the importance of rest and avoidance of long driving hours resulting in stress. Settings and Design:  This study was conducted on 50 healthy male professional drivers and 50 healthy male conductors in the age range of 21 to 40 years weighing 50 – 70 Kg. The drivers were compared with conductors of the same bus. Methods and Material:  The variables were recorded on Sunday and on next working day in morning 0600 hours and in evening 1800 hours. Blood Pressure was measured using a mercury sphygmomanometer; heart rate was measured using ECG. Blood and urine sample were collected for measurement of serum lipid profile and urine catecholamines. All the values were recorded and comparison tables were derived after statistical analysis using SPSS statistical software and the results were analyzed. Results and Conclusions:  The results indicate that there is a significant hemodynamic change including an increase in heart rate and blood pressure in the case group after driving hours compared to the values at rest and also when compared to the controls at the end of working hour. There were no significant changes in serum total cholesterol levels in the case group during the study period but the levels were significantly higher compared to the controls. The urine catecholamines levels showed highly significant elevation in levels in cases compared to levels at rest and to the controls at end of working hours though the first urine samples of the morning on both the study days did not show any significant difference. The study concludes that there are multiple risk factors that are significantly elevated in the bus drivers and can have cumulative effect to cause acute cardiovascular or cerebrovascular event which can be fatal to the driver and also dangerous to the others.