Exercise-induced ventricular arrhythmias and subclinical ischemia risk in firefighters: exploratory results from a pilot study

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dc.authorid0000-0003-1588-7583
dc.authorid0000-0002-3002-7752
dc.authorid0000-0002-7130-5624
dc.authorid0000-0002-0717-8640
dc.contributor.authorDemiralp, Nuray
dc.contributor.authorAkyel, Serdar
dc.contributor.authorKoc, Hurmuz
dc.contributor.authorOzturk, Ahmet
dc.date.accessioned2026-02-03T12:03:05Z
dc.date.available2026-02-03T12:03:05Z
dc.date.issued2025
dc.departmentÇanakkale Onsekiz Mart Üniversitesi
dc.description.abstractAimThis pilot study aimed to systematically evaluate exercise-induced electrocardiographic (ECG) responses in professional firefighters and to explore the association between premature ventricular complexes (PVCs) and myocardial ischemia in this high-risk occupational group.MethodThis pilot cross-sectional study enrolled 21 male firefighters (mean age 43.4 +/- 7.18 years) from a single municipal fire department. Participants underwent comprehensive cardiovascular assessment including anthropometric measurements, biochemical analyses (lipid profile, testosterone), submaximal exercise testing (Bruce protocol), and 24-h Holter ECG monitoring. Statistical analyses included Mann-Whitney U tests and effect size calculations.ResultsNo exercise-induced ST-segment changes indicative of myocardial ischemia were observed. However, PVCs were detected in 33% of participants (7/21), with exercise testing revealing 18 simple and 2 multiform PVCs, while Holter monitoring recorded 25 simple and 1 multiform PVC. PVC-positive firefighters were significantly older (median 49 vs. 40 years, p = 0.019, r = 0.514). Mean exercise capacity was 12.45 METs, with 81% achieving moderate fitness levels. Post-exercise heart rate recovery (HRR1: 24 +/- 11.5 bpm; HRR2: 35.4 +/- 11.5 bpm) showed normal patterns.ConclusionThe findings of this pilot study indicate the need for larger-scale investigations, supported by advanced diagnostic modalities, to clarify the clinical relevance of exercise-induced premature ventricular complexes (PVCs) in firefighters. Although no ischemic changes were observed, the presence of subclinical coronary artery disease cannot be definitively excluded. These results provide a meaningful preliminary foundation for developing targeted screening approaches to improve early cardiovascular risk detection in high-physical-demand occupational groups.
dc.description.sponsorshipTrkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Arascedil;timath;rma Kurumu
dc.description.sponsorshipThe authors extend their sincere gratitude to all the firefighters who participated in this study and to the relevant institutions and authorities for their technical support.
dc.identifier.doi10.1007/s00421-025-06008-5
dc.identifier.issn1439-6319
dc.identifier.issn1439-6327
dc.identifier.pmid41037097
dc.identifier.scopus2-s2.0-105017818503
dc.identifier.scopusqualityQ1
dc.identifier.urihttps://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-025-06008-5
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12428/34967
dc.identifier.wosWOS:001585464400001
dc.identifier.wosqualityQ2
dc.indekslendigikaynakWeb of Science
dc.indekslendigikaynakScopus
dc.indekslendigikaynakPubMed
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherSpringer
dc.relation.ispartofEuropean Journal of Applied Physiology
dc.relation.publicationcategoryMakale - Uluslararası Hakemli Dergi - Kurum Öğretim Elemanı
dc.rightsinfo:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccess
dc.snmzKA_WOS_20260130
dc.subjectElectrocardiography
dc.subjectPremature Ventricular Complexes
dc.subjectFirefighters
dc.subjectExercise Test
dc.subjectOccupational Health
dc.titleExercise-induced ventricular arrhythmias and subclinical ischemia risk in firefighters: exploratory results from a pilot study
dc.typeArticle

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