Cardiovascular risk among nursing workers: a cross-sectional study

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Cardiovascular Epidemiology
• Public Health

Background:

• Cardiovascular disease (CVD) poses a significant health burden globally.
• Healthcare professionals, including nursing workers, may face unique occupational stressors impacting cardiovascular health.
• Assessing cardiovascular risk factors in this population is crucial for preventative strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the cardiovascular risk profile of nursing workers in a public hospital setting.
• To identify prevalent modifiable cardiovascular risk factors within this occupational group.
• To explore associations between sociodemographic, occupational factors, and cardiovascular risk.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 324 nursing workers.
• Utilized a questionnaire assessing sociodemographic, occupational, and health characteristics.
• Employed the Revised Framingham Risk Score (FRS) for cardiovascular risk stratification and the Swedish Social Control Demand Scale for psychosocial stress assessment.

Main Results:

• The most common modifiable risk factor was increased waist circumference (75.9%), followed by overweight (43.8%) and obesity (29.3%).
• Other prevalent factors included alcohol consumption (21.9%), high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) (>130 mg/dL) (20.7%), and hypertension (20.4%).
• Overall, 96% of workers exhibited a low 10-year cardiovascular disease risk.

Conclusions:

• Despite a generally low 10-year cardiovascular disease risk, prevalent modifiable risk factors highlight areas for intervention.
• Male gender, age over 40, and shorter working hours were associated with a higher likelihood of cardiovascular disease.
• Targeted health promotion programs focusing on modifiable risk factors are recommended for nursing staff.