Cardiac strain comparison between workers with normal weight and overweight in the hot humid weather of the Persian Gulf region

BACKGROUND: In the hot weather, overweight and obesity are considered as significant risk factors for the incidence of cardiac strain in workers. This study is aimed at comparing the cardiac strain among overweight and normal-weighted workers, in the hot, humid conditions of the south of Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 71 workers in the south of Iran, in the summer of 2010. The heart rate was measured at rest and at actual work. Cardiac strain based on the working heart rate (WHR), the relative cardiac cost (RCC), the net cardiac cost (NCC), the load relative cardiovascular (CVL), and heart rate reduction were analyzed in 35 normal weight people (BMI <25) and 36 people who were overweight (BMI >25), using descriptive statistics and t- tests. RESULTS: In 42% of the total workers, the body mass index was more than 25. The average temperature of the two groups was not significantly different. The mean WHR in these two groups was 101 ± 20.3 and 112 ± 18.9, respectively (P = 0.026). Percentages that exceeded the acceptable limits in parameters of NCC, RCC, WHR, CVL, and the Brouha index, were significantly higher in overweight people than those in people with normal weight. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the study results, the severity of cardiac strain was higher in overweight workers when compared with normal weight workers. Hence, in order to decrease the cardiac strain, selecting overweight individuals for these jobs should be avoided, as also some vital intervention for losing weight, such as, nutrition education and encouraging them to increase their physical activity, should be implemented.