For most people, doing housework is a dreaded chore. But for some people
with certain health conditions, it can be harmful.
As Joe Norman, Ph.D., associate professor, University of Nebraska Medical
Center School of Allied Health Professions, and his colleagues worked with
patients in a cardiac rehabilitation clinic a few years ago, they noticed
some patients complaining about having angina when at home vacuuming. Angina
causes chest pain or discomfort due to heart disease. It occurs when the
heart muscle (myocardium) doesn’t get as much blood (hence as much oxygen)
as it needs.
Its also a sign that someone is at increased risk of heart attack,
cardiac arrest and sudden cardiac death.
We noticed some people were telling us they had problems vacuuming
versus other similar physically demanding activities, said Dr. Norman,
principal investigator of the study. They could walk 15 to 30 minutes
at a brisk pace but would get angina (chest pain) when they would vacuum.
It raised the question that something might be going on was related
to the use of the upper extremities.
UNMC researchers set out to compare the estimated myocardial oxygen
consumption and energy expenditure associated with vacuuming using five
different vacuum cleaner models.
Dr. Norman, who also specializes in cardiovascular physiology, said
its important that workload on the heart doesnt exceed the oxygen supply
to the heart. If the amount of oxygen needed for the heart muscle to perform
tasks is out of sync with the amount of oxygen being supplied, angina occurs.
Vacuuming requires the work of both the upper and lower extremities.
Results of the study were published recently in the American College
of Sports Medicines Medicine and Science in Sports & Exercise journal.
Researchers also have presented their findings at a meeting of the American
Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation.
Thirty-six healthy women without heart disease between the age 50 and
59 tried out each vacuum cleaner for six minutes with rest in between.
Women were used in the study because studies continue to show they have
the primary responsibility for housekeeping even after a cardiac event.
Measurements of heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen consumption data
and rating of perceived exertion were measured in the study participants
before and after vacuuming. They tested the energy required to operate
five models of vacuums three upright and two canister styles. They included
self-propelled upright, a canister style with a power-head spinning brush,
a lightweight upright, heavyweight upright and a compact canister.
Researchers found the best model to reduce the demand on the heart
was the self propelled, which is least demanding for someone with a heart
disorder.
We found the vacuum cleaner model with some type of power assistance
has significant impact on lowering the demand on the heart, Dr. Norman
said. These types of features should be taken into account when making
recommendations for patients with limited capacity or those needing to
limit physiological stress due to a disease state.
He said the second best vacuum they found was the canister model with
spinning brushes.
Based on their findings, researchers hypothesize that if individuals
with cardiovascular disease could walk on a level treadmill at 2 mph without
angina, they may also be able to use a power assisted vacuum model without
experiencing angina. However, researchers say if people experience angina
while using power assisted models, or while walking on the level at 2 mph,
may need to avoid vacuuming.
Researchers also said personal preference for a certain vacuum does
not correlate with reduced energy demand. Unfortunately, you cant just
go try out a vacuum cleaner, Dr. Norman said. You have to look to see
if it has power assistanceself-propelled. Thats more important than having
a certain preference for a vacuum cleaner.