Study: Certain Jobs Increase Risk of Heart Disease

A new study has found that certain occupations may increase the risk of heart disease in workers.

Heart disease has become a top concern among health officials. While recent advancements in medical technology have increased the effectiveness of diagnosing, preventing and treating heart disease, it remains a serious threat to public health. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately half a million men and women lose their lives to heart disease each year in the United States, making it the country's leading cause of death. But researchers are now saying that workers in certain jobs may have a greater risk of developing heart disease.

So, which jobs had the greatest impact on workers' heart health? According to the study, middle-aged workers in sales, office, and the food industry had more risk factors associated with heart disease than workers in professional or managerial jobs. Researchers also found that policemen and women, firefighters, truckers and healthcare workers had a high risk of heart disease as well.

In terms of dieting and nutrition, workers in the food service industry had the worst diets of any profession, and truckers and other transportation workers had the highest rates of smoking. 

For this study, researchers analyzed health data from some 5,500 men and women 45 years of age and older, paying close attention to their heart health based on various risk factors. These risk factors included blood pressure, cholesterol levels, blood sugar, physical activity, smoking, diet and body mass index. In total, more than 88% of workers 45 years of age and older did not smoke.

"Those employed among the broad 'service' occupations had a significantly lower prevalence of ideal cholesterol, lower ideal blood pressure, and lower ideal body mass index," said Capt. Leslie MacDonald of the Public Health Service. "This poor cardiovascular risk profile was especially pronounced among protective service workers, which includes security guards, police and firefighters."

Whether you work in one of the high-risk industries cited above or not, you should take a proactive approach towards your heart health. Among the easiest ways to promote a healthy heart is exercise. A good rule of thumb is to strive for a minimum of 30 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise per day. In addition to staying active, eating the right foods will also help to lower your risk of heart disease. Focus your diet around lean meats and fresh vegetables while limiting your intake of saturated fats, sodium and processed sugar.