Cardiac disability and death caused by strain: problem in workmen's compensation.

Abstract

There is much controversy on the causal relationship between physical and emotional strain and cardiac disability and death. Some believe that strain seldom produces cardiac disease. Others believe that it is a frequent cause of cardiac disease and death. In disability due to coronary disease, for instance, Master and co-workers 1 found that only 2% of 530 persons with coronary thrombosis had the attack during unusual exertion and 37% more during mild activity. They therefore conclude that an attack occurring after strain is merely coincidence. On the other hand, in 950 autopsy cases of all forms of coronary sclerosis in the armed services, Yater and co-workers 2 found that, in the younger age group, the terminal cardiac attack occurred during strenuous activity in as many as 32% and during mild and moderate activity in 52% more. In only 15% did it occur at rest. In 100 cases of fatal coronary