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Coronary risks among seafarers aboard German-flagged ships
Marcus Oldenburg1, Hans-Joachim Jensen, Ute Latza
1Institute of Occupational and Maritime Medicine (ZfAM), University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany. marcus.oldenburg@bsg.hamburg.de
International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health
|October 3, 2007
Summary
Seafarers exhibit significant coronary heart disease risk factors, including hypertension and high triglycerides. Despite medical surveillance, their risk is comparable to shore-based workers, suggesting maritime work may increase coronary risk.
Area of Science:
- Maritime Health
- Cardiovascular Epidemiology
- Occupational Medicine
Background:
- Cardiovascular diseases are a leading cause of disability in maritime service.
- Investigating coronary risk factors in seamen is crucial for occupational health.
- Understanding job-related risks for coronary heart disease (CHD) is essential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of coronary risk factors among German merchant seamen.
- To assess the 10-year risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) in this population.
- To identify job-specific factors influencing CHD risk at sea.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 205 male seafarers under the German flag.
- Data collected through interviews, blood sampling, and blood pressure measurements.
- Comparison of predicted 10-year CHD risk with the general German working population (PROCAM study).
Main Results:
- 34.2% of seamen (n=161) had at least three CHD risk factors.
- Key risk factors identified: hypertension (49.7%), high triglycerides (41.6%), older age (39.8%), and smoking (37.3%).
- Engine room officers and galley staff showed higher coronary risk; European seamen had increased risk compared to non-Europeans.
Conclusions:
- CHD risk in seafarers necessitates interventions like low-fat diets, anti-smoking campaigns, and blood pressure management.
- Seafarers' CHD risk, despite medical surveillance, is similar to shore-based populations.
- Findings suggest that maritime work may contribute to an elevated risk of coronary heart disease.
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