Cardiac response to whole-body heating.

Changes in ventricular function, as described by systolic time interval analysis, have been studied during heat stress and the time course of these changes, as well as changes in heart rate, have been investigated. Seven male and female subjects, 22-35 years of age, immersed their lower legs in water 42-44 degrees C for 30 min; their trunks and upper legs were enclosed in nonpermeable plastic to prevent evaporative heat loss. Total beat interval (R-R), left ventricular ejection time (LVET), pre-ejection period (PEP), arterial blood pressure, and oral temperature were monitored periodically during heating and recovery (post-hearing) periods. The stress induced significant (p less than 0.05) decreases in R-R and LVET by 5 min of heating which continued decreasing throughout the 30-min heating period. Heart rate accelerated from 72 up to 97 beats/min. LVET's during heat stress were shorter than those at similar resting heart rates. R-R and LVET were increased significantly by 1-min recovery but had not returned to preheating levels at 15 min. PEP, on the other hand, was not reduced until 15 min of heating, and did not start to recover until 3 min post-heating, after which it reached values exceeding control. A small increase in systolic blood pressure was maintained throughout heating and remained at 15 min recovery. Oral temperature increased approximately 1 degree C during the heating procedure; 50% of this was dissipated by 15 min recovery. Results are consistent with a two-stage cardiac response to heat-vagal withdrawal followed by a strong sympathetic outflow to the heart affecting both inotropic and chronotropic characteristics.