The relationship between cold exposure and hypertension.
This study was performed to determine whether there was any relationship between cold exposure and hypertension, and to evaluate risk factors affecting hypertension in cold-exposed workers. In 11 refrigeration industries, 68 male workers working in cold areas more than once per day were selected as the cold-exposed group, and 68 workers not exposed to cold were selected as the control group. The questionnaire survey, clinical and laboratory tests were performed. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures were significantly higher in the cold-exposed group, and body core temperature was significantly lower in the cold-exposed group (p<0.05). In logistic regression analysis, age, cold exposure severity and milk intake were significant variables affecting hypertension in cold-exposed workers, whose odd ratios were 5.204 (95% CI 1.440-18.812), 2.674 (95% CI 1.080-6.618), and 0.364 (95% CI 0.141-0.942), respectively. Cold exposure was a risk factor for hypertension, and risk factors affecting hypertension in cold exposed workers were age, cold exposure severity, and milk intake. Therefore, cold exposed workers should minimize cold exposure time as much as possible, and ingest foods containing calcium such as milk. In particular, old workers working in cold areas should check their blood pressure and electrocardiogram periodically.
Kim
Joon-Youn
JY
Department of Preventive Medicine, Medical College, Dong-A University, 1,3-ga, Dongdaesin-dong, Seo-gu, Busan 602-714, Korea.
Jung
Kap-Yeol
KY
Hong
Young-Seoub
YS
Kim
Jung-Il
JI
Jang
Tae-Won
TW
Kim
Jung-Man
JM
D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003080:Cold Temperature / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000209:etiology*; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012307:Risk Factors