Cardiovascular disease in older workers: risk up nearly 10% in five years

The silent killer or silent epidemic: with 31,000 deaths a year, cardiovascular diseases are one of the leading causes of death in Belgium. In less dramatic situations, cardiovascular diseases often cause long-term absenteeism among employees. However, for a long time there were positive signs, as a number of risk factors, such as high blood pressure and smoking, declined systematically over the past three decades.

Hypertension

New scientific research from Mensura, UAntwerpen, and UHasselt now shows that this downward trend was broken in 2019. Mensura carried out more than 450,000 medical examinations on more than 230,000 Belgian workers aged 40 and over between 2019 and 2023. Five risk factors were considered: age, gender, blood pressure, smoking behaviour, and overweight (BMI).

What did it show? The risk for older workers of contracting cardiovascular disease within ten years has increased by 9% over the past five years. The big culprit: blood pressure levels that are too high. Other factors, such as BMI and smoking behaviour, do not increase risk.

Multifactorial

Cardiovascular disease is multifactorial in nature. Individual lifestyle choices are a strong determinant here – diet, sleep, alcohol consumption, etc. – but mental problems, such as stress, also play a role. Other work-related factors include physically demanding work, shift work, high temperatures, or noise.

Research shows up to 80% of cardiovascular disease occurrences are preventable. You don’t usually feel high blood pressure, but it does increase the risk of heart attack or stroke. A simple measurement can reveal the condition. Tragedies can be avoided with the right lifestyle adjustments or medication.

Part to play for businesses and government

Employees have an individual responsibility for how they live, but employers can have a positive influence on this. A lot of organisations are already focusing on promoting good health nowadays. In doing so, it is important to include the mental wellbeing aspect. Behaviour changes are very difficult when there is too much stress or other mental problems.

Rik Vanhoof, General Director of the Belgian Cardiology League: “You don’t usually feel high blood pressure, but it does increase the risk of heart attack or stroke. A simple measurement can reveal the condition. Tragedies can be avoided with the right lifestyle adjustments or medication. Employers and governments can also play a key role in this by making living environments and habits healthier. In a work environment, (cardiovascular) prevention often remains underexposed, while employees are actually a key group for early detection and healthy lifestyles. The announced national cardiovascular action plan is an important step. Now it’s a matter of making it happen effectively, together with all partners involved.”