Blood Values and Cardiovascular System Activity Indices Characteristic of the Workers of Unhealthy Occupations

Abstract

Comparison and evaluation of general blood parameters and electrocardiogram is important for determining health condition of the persons under investigation, including workers of unhealthy occupations. Therefore, the question arises as to how harmful working conditions affect the state of cardiovascular system. The purpose of the article is to study general blood parameters and heart electrocardiograms of the employees working in unhealthy conditions. The investigation involved 43 workers belonging to 8 different professions (rescue driver – 17 %, electric welder – 10 %, electrician – 12 %, crane operator – 15 %, laboratory assistant – 15 %, fuel station operator – 12 %, boiler operator – 7 %, locksmith – 12 %), who were examined during medical check-up. ECG record was performed using ECG 300G electrocardiograph in the department of functional diagnostics, the calculation of general blood parameters was done according to the general methods in the clinical diagnostic laboratory. All investigations were carried out on the basis of Ternopil city communal hospital № 2. Such parameters of the general blood analysis as – hemoglobin, red blood cells, color index, reticulocytes, platelets, leukocytes, ESR, myelocytes, metamyelocytes, rod nuclear cells, segmentated cells, eosinophils, basophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, plasma cells – have been analyzed. The analysis of ECG characteristics, and namely – EOS deviation angle, heart rate, RR interval variations and RR, PQ, QT, P wave, QRS complex and systolic rate – has also been done. The comparison of the mean values of the total blood count revealed differences between representatives of different occupations, the greatest number of statistically significant differences was observed when comparing hemoglobin and red blood cells parameters. Differences were traced between the number of segmental cells and monocytes, the values of lymphocytes were within the normal limits, except for rescue drivers whose lymphocytes value indicators went beyond the norm. Comparison of ECG indicators revealed differences between the magnitude of the EOS angle, which had significant deviations from the standards among electricians, boiler operators and locksmiths. Indicators of the RR interval duration among electricians, laboratory assistants and operators of fuel stations are also over the limit. Minor differences are also evident in the values of the P wave and the QRS complex, and minor deviations from the standards can be observed as well.