Benjamin J Gray1, Richard M Bracken, Daniel Turner, Kerry Morgan, Stephen D Mellalieu, Michael Thomas, Sally P Williams, Meurig Williams, Sam Rice, Jeffrey W Stephens. 1. From the Diabetes Research Group (Mr Gray, Dr Bracken, Mr Turner, and Prof Stephens), College of Medicine, Swansea University; Applied Sports Technology Exercise and Medicine Research Centre (Mr Gray, Dr Bracken, Mr Turner, and Dr Mellalieu), College of Engineering, Swansea University; Hywel Dda Health Board (Ms Morgan, Dr M. Williams, and Dr Rice), Prince Philip Hospital, Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, UK; Public Health Wales (Dr Thomas), Carmarthen, Carmarthenshire and TATA Steel Packaging Recycling (Dr S. P. Williams), Trostre, Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, UK.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of undiagnosed cardiovascular disease (CVD) in a cohort of male steelworkers in South Wales, UK. METHODS: Male steel industry workers (n = 221) with no prior diagnosis of CVD or diabetes accepted a CVD risk assessment within the work environment. Demographic, anthropometric, family, and medical histories were all recorded and capillary blood samples obtained. The 10-year CVD risk was predicted using the QRISK2-2012 algorithm. RESULTS: Up to 81.5% of workers were either overweight or obese. More than 20% of workers were found to have diastolic hypertension, high total cholesterol, and/or a total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein ratio of six or more. Over one quarter of workers assessed had an increased 10-year CVD risk. CONCLUSIONS: Despite a physically demanding occupation, risk assessment in the workplace uncovered significant occult factors in CVD risk in a sample of male heavy industry workers.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of undiagnosed cardiovascular disease (CVD) in a cohort of male steelworkers in South Wales, UK. METHODS: Male steel industry workers (n = 221) with no prior diagnosis of CVD or diabetes accepted a CVD risk assessment within the work environment. Demographic, anthropometric, family, and medical histories were all recorded and capillary blood samples obtained. The 10-year CVD risk was predicted using the QRISK2-2012 algorithm. RESULTS: Up to 81.5% of workers were either overweight or obese. More than 20% of workers were found to have diastolic hypertension, high total cholesterol, and/or a total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein ratio of six or more. Over one quarter of workers assessed had an increased 10-year CVD risk. CONCLUSIONS: Despite a physically demanding occupation, risk assessment in the workplace uncovered significant occult factors in CVD risk in a sample of male heavy industry workers.