Heart rate never lies: interventional cardiologist and Braude’s quote revised

Cook, Stéphane; Stauffer, Jean-Christophe; Goy, Jean-Jacques; Graf, Denis; Puricel, Serban; Frobert, Aurélien; Muller, Olivier; Togni, Mario; Arroyo, Diego

doi:10.1136/openhrt-2015-000373

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Journal article

Heart rate never lies: interventional cardiologist and Braude’s quote revised

Cook, Stéphane Department of Cardiology, University of Fribourg & Hospital, Fribourg, Switzerland
Stauffer, Jean-Christophe Department of Cardiology, University of Fribourg & Hospital, Fribourg, Switzerland
Goy, Jean-Jacques Department of Cardiology, University of Fribourg & Hospital, Fribourg, Switzerland
Graf, Denis Department of Cardiology, University of Fribourg & Hospital, Fribourg, Switzerland
Puricel, Serban Department of Cardiology, University of Fribourg & Hospital, Fribourg, Switzerland
Frobert, Aurélien Department of Cardiology, University of Fribourg & Hospital, Fribourg, Switzerland
Muller, Olivier Department of Cardiology, University of Fribourg & Hospital, Fribourg, Switzerland
Togni, Mario Department of Cardiology, University of Fribourg & Hospital, Fribourg, Switzerland
Arroyo, Diego Department of Cardiology, University of Fribourg & Hospital, Fribourg, Switzerland

01.01.2016

Published in:

Open Heart. - 2016, vol. 3, no. 1, p. e000373

English Background Interventional cardiologists may be immune to stress, allowing them to perform complex percutaneous interventions under pressure.Objectives To assess heart rate (HR) variations as a surrogate marker of stress of interventional cardiologists during percutaneous cardiac procedures and in every-day life.Design This is a single-centre observational study including a total of six male interventional cardiologists performing coronary interventions and pacemaker implantations. Participants were asked to record their HR with the Apple Watch Device during procedures, every-day life and control activities such as outpatient consultations, sport, marital conflicts and sexual intercourse.Results Average daily HR was 88±17 bpm. During work days, HR increased significantly during procedures (90±17 bpm) compared with days outside the cathlab (87±17 bpm, p=0.02). The average HR was higher during a regular week working (88±16 bpm) compared with weekends off (84±18 bpm, p=0.002). Complex cardiac procedures were associated with higher HR up to 122 bpm. Peak HR were higher during physical exertion. Of note, participants complained of hypersexuality and mania after night shifts.Conclusions Work and especially percutaneous cardiac procedures increase HR independently of physical exertion suggesting that interventional cardiologists experience mental stress and emotions.

Faculty

Faculté des sciences et de médecine

Department

Médecine 3ème année

Language