Postmenopausal women working in the social sector are more likely to develop heart health problems than others. Cashiers would also be particularly vulnerable.
Worldwide, in 2012 nearly 17.7 million people died of cardiovascular disease each year, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). That is 31% of the total mortality of the human species. Among the risk factors: age, overweight, physical inactivity, alcohol or hypertension. Since the latter is often linked to stress, it seems logical that an individual’s profession can have an influence on their cardiovascular health. And given the prevalence of heart disease in postmenopausal women, American researchers wanted to understand which professions posed the greatest heart risks for this segment of the population. According to their study, which will be presented at the American Heart Association (AHA) Grand Rounds which will take place in Philadelphia in the United States from November 16 to 18, women working in the social field would be the most vulnerable.
Bede Nriagu and colleagues at Drexel University in Philadelphia examined possible links between heart health status and occupation in 65,000 women with an average age of 63 and already postmenopausal. For their study, the researchers took into account measures of cardiovascular health defined by the AHA such as smoking, weight, physical activity or diet. They incorporated into their work risk factors such as cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar, as well as confounding factors such as age, marital status or the level of education of the participants. After which, they looked at the 20 most common professions of the latter.
Result of the observations: nearly 13% of the women followed were in poor cardiovascular health. The researchers also found a link between specific jobs and an increased risk of heart health problems in these people. In detail, women employed in the social sector were 36% more likely to develop heart problems. Then came the cashiers, with 33% more risk.
Doctors should consider the profession of their patients
Unsurprisingly, women working in the health sector (nurses, psychiatrists and home health aides) were also particularly exposed to the risk of heart problems with a 16% higher risk.
“Several of the occupations that were at high risk for poor cardiovascular health were health care providers, such as nurses and home health aides. This is surprising because these women probably know the risk factors for cardiovascular health better,” notes Ms. Bede Nriagu. For the researchers, this means that it is “important to look beyond individual factors, such as health literacy, to better understand the context of health care and other jobs that negatively impact health. women’s cardiovascular health.”
On the other hand, it would seem that female real estate brokers and agents have a lower risk of cardiovascular disease (-24% compared to other professions), as do administrative assistants (-11%).
Ultimately, the scientists therefore hope that the results of their study will encourage doctors to take into account the professions of their patients when they assess their possible risks of cardiovascular problems.
The hotel-restaurant and construction sectors globally at risk
The role of professions on health is regularly studied by researchers. In France, according to a study by the National Institute for Health Monitoring published in 2018, people working in construction or hospitality are most likely to die young. Temporary workers also have a 1.75 times greater risk of mortality before age 65 than the rest of the population studied.
Logically, accidents (falls, transport, etc.) cause more victims in the construction, trade, car repair and land transport sectors. Cancers of the hematopoietic system particularly affect the non-metallic mineral product manufacturing sector. The construction, auxiliary services, transport and hotel and catering sectors are mainly affected by cancer of the liver and bile ducts. Furthermore, according to the researchers, the highest mortality rates from ischemic heart disease (coronary heart disease) are observed in the extractive industries (60/100,000), hotels and restaurants (45/100,000), real estate and business services (44/100,000).
As for mortality from cerebrovascular disease (stroke, dementia), it is very high in the hotel and catering industry (25/100,000), construction (22/100,000) and the real estate, rental and services to companies as well as the manufacturing industry (respectively 19 and 18/100,000). Finally, the health and social work sector has the highest suicide mortality rate (34.3/100,000).
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