Cardiovascular Responsivity, Physical and Psychosocial Job Stress, and the Risk of Preterm Delivery.
Abstract
Previous studies have found both African-American and military women to be at increased risk for preterm delivery. The main goal of this study is to assess the influence of blood pressure responsivity on the risk of preterm birth among women exposed to similar levels of physical and mental job stress. We are evaluating cardiac responsivity in an ethnically diverse group of active duty military women seeking prenatal care at Wilford Hall Medical Center, Lackland Air Force Base and Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston. As of October 10, 1997, a total of7l pregnant women have been enrolled in our study; of these, 53 have completed a baseline questionnaire. Effects of stress factors on pregnancy outcome may be mediated through increases in maternal heart rate and blood pressure. Therefore, women with a pronounced hemodynamic response to stress could represent a group susceptible to adverse effects of exposure to job stress during pregnancy. To idenfify this susceptible subgroup we plan to administer a stress challenge test at 24-26 weeks of gestation; this testing is scheduled to begin in the middle of October. The possibility that race and aerobic fitness may modulate cardiovascular responsivity will be examined. The resulting information may help not only in determining work policies but also in flirthering our understanding of the etiology of preterm birth.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 1997
- Accession Number
- ADA334329
Entities
People
- Maureen Hatch
Organizations
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai