Researcher(s)
- Raina Lakhani, Biological Sciences, University of Delaware
Faculty Mentor(s)
- Melissa Witman, Kinesiology & Applied Physiology, University of Delaware
Abstract
Approximately 11% of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) worker deaths on-duty are related to cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Overnight shift work (SW) contributes to CVD risk by disrupting circadian patterns where blood pressure (BP) elevates during the daytime and wakefulness, then dips during the nighttime and sleep. Night SW is therefore associated with hypertension and arterial dysfunction. Poor/disrupted sleep is also associated with oxidative stress, an imbalance of free radicals and antioxidants within the body. Oxidative stress can damage blood vessel endothelial tissue, further reducing BP function and increasing arterial stiffness. However, the interplay between oxidative stress and BP in EMS workers remains unclear, and any potential effects of acute antioxidant supplementation have not been studied.
PURPOSE: To determine the effect of acute antioxidants on blood pressure parameters and arterial stiffness in young adult emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics following an overnight shift.
METHODS: Participants were counterbalanced to antioxidants or placebo prior to each visit, held the morning following night SW. Pulse wave analysis was used to measure peripheral and central BP, and pulse pressure (PP) amplification calculated as the ratio of peripheral and central PP. Applantation tonometry was used to estimate carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV). Given the preliminary sample size (n=3), no statistical tests were run.
RESULTS: Peripheral and central systolic and diastolic BP both appeared lower after antioxidant supplementation as compared to placebo. Consequently, PP amplification appeared higher after antioxidant supplementation (mean=149%) than after placebo (mean=143%). cfPWV also appeared lower after antioxidant supplementation ( mean=5.2m/s) than after placebo (mean=5.4m/s).
CONCLUSIONS: Preliminary findings suggest that antioxidants may improve BP function and reduce arterial stiffness in EMTs and paramedics. Traditional lifestyle interventions are often challenging for EMTs and paramedics, making antioxidants an enticing potential alternative to reduce CVD risk.