Occupational cardiovascular disease
Links have been established between cardiovascular disease risk and occupational exposure to chemicals, noise, psychosocial stressors, physical activity, and certain workplace organization factors.
Related explanations for cardiovascular disease trends are increases in the prevalence of other stress-related (including work-related stress) conditions, obesity,[23] diabetes,[23] metabolic syndrome,[23] and short sleeping hours.
[23] Mental health disorders, including depression and anxiety, are increasing globally and in the U.S.[25][26] A 2021 National Academy of Sciences report[27] points out that "social, economic, and cultural changes that have undermined economic security, intergenerational mobility, and social support networks can adversely affect cardiometabolic health through stress-mediated biological pathways and reduced access to care".
Recent research indicates working conditions that may be contributing to the cardiovascular disease trends in the U.S. include, Hypertension develops more often in those who experience job strain and who have shift-work.
A 2017 Swedish government report found evidence that workplace exposure to silica dust, engine exhaust or welding fumes is associated with heart disease.
[51] An association was also found between heart disease and exposure to compounds which are no longer permitted in certain work environments, such as phenoxy acids containing TCDD (dioxin) or asbestos.
There is evidence that workplace exposure to lead, carbon disulphide, phenoxy acids containing TCDD, as well as working in an environment where aluminum is being electrolytically produced, is associated with stroke.
[60][61][62][63][64] Other strategies for reducing work stressors include legislative and regulatory-level interventions with examples including laws providing for better nurse-patient staffing ratios, bans on mandatory overtime, paid sick days, paid family leave or retail worker schedule predictability (see case studies on-line, Healthy Work Campaign, 2021[65]).
[66] The NIOSH Total Worker Health Program conveys the innovative concept that only holistic interventions at the workplace which reduce both work-related and life-style risk factors, may be effective to prevent CVDs.
