Seismocardiographic evidence of deteriorating cardiac function among Canadian police officers: evidence from the longitudinal royal Canadian Mounted Police posttraumatic stress disorder study.

Abstract

Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) frequently encounter potentially psychologically traumatic events (PPTEs) which include direct (e.g., happened to me) or indirect (e.g., part of my job) exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence, and subsequently demonstrate an increased risk of developing posttraumatic stress injuries (PTSIs). Although PTSIs include mental health disorders, physical impairments such as the development of chronic pain and cardiovascular conditions are also implicated. The current study was designed to assess for changes in cardiac function among RCMP within their first 3 years of field service. Participants (n = 96) were mostly male (71.6%), men (71.6%), White (85.6%), with a mean age of 30.22 ± 6.22 years. The current results evidenced deteriorations in cardiac function; diastolic cardiac function began to deteriorate as early as the second year of field service, with changes in systolic function occurring concurrently, or within the following year, suggesting that deteriorating cardiac function may constitute a PTSI. Incorporating best-practice cardiac rehabilitation exercise prescription guidelines tailored to the maintenance or improvement of diastolic function into existing occupational health and wellness programs may support a mechanistic role in reducing the risk of major adverse cardiac events among RCMP officers and other high-risk occupational populations.