ArticleEuropean journal of applied physiology2026
Exercise-induced ventricular arrhythmias and subclinical ischemia risk in firefighters: exploratory results from a pilot study.
Article in European journal of applied physiology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Abstract
aimThis 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.
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