Cardiovascular diseases in emergency health workers: a 10-year follow up study

Introduction
Cardiovascular and occupational health are well related for at least three important reasons: firstly, many patients with cardiovascular disease are employed in the manufacturing industry. Secondly, the cardiovascular system can be the target organ of various occupational risk factors. Thirdly the cardiovascular diseases of non occupational origin may be aggravated and/or triggered by working activity. The aim of this study was to show the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases in a group of health workers.

Methods
The total extra-hospital emergency workers (EHWs) - employed by the Regional Emergency Health Service (ARES 118) in the Latium Region, Italy – were included in the retrospective study. Between 2001 to 2010 the 876 male and 475 female ARES’ workers received biennial health checks. The cardiovascular health data was collected and stratified by job function and gender differences.

Results
We identified 62 (4.6%) workers with cardiovascular disease (54 men and 8 women) during the 10-year follow-up period. 3 (4.8%) were medical staff, 16 (25.8%) nurses, 5 (8.0%) emergency medical technicians, 24 (38.7%) ambulance drivers, 4 (6.6%) administrative workers, 10 (16.12%) stretchers. 39 men (62.9%) and 6 women (9.7%) were affected by ischaemic heart disease (IHD).

Discussion
Preliminary results of our study show an higher frequency of cardiovascular disease (particularly IHD) among men than women and among ambulance drivers than other workers.