open access

Vol 70, No 1 (2019)
Review article
Submitted: 2019-03-04
Accepted: 2019-03-25
Published online: 2019-03-28
Get Citation

Is it worth to continue to analyse the factors of cardiovascular risk among the sailors? Review of literature

Joanna Szafran-Dobrowolska1, Marcin Renke1, Maria Jeżewska1
·
Pubmed: 30931513
·
IMH 2019;70(1):17-21.
Affiliations
  1. Department of Occupational, Metabolic and Internal Diseases, Medical University of Gdansk, Poland

open access

Vol 70, No 1 (2019)
MARITIME MEDICINE Review article
Submitted: 2019-03-04
Accepted: 2019-03-25
Published online: 2019-03-28

Abstract

Background: Cardiovascular diseases are still the most common cause of death from natural causes among seafarers. The aim of the study was to determine which of the cardiovascular risk factors listed in the current recommendations of the European Society of Cardiology occur among seafarers.

Materials and methods: The paper is a review of literature from PubMed Database. 

Results: Based on conducted analysis of over 31 papers high prevalence of classic and other cardiovascular risk factors among seafarers was proven. The most common risk factors among off-shore workers are overweight and obesity (over 64%); moreover, these factors occur more often among seafarers than in the general popula- tion. Also hypertension, smoking, type 2 diabetes and unfavourable lipid profile were present more often in this occupational group. In the analysed studies attention was also paid to factors often overlooked in risk assess- ment such as mental and inflammatory illnesses, unfavourable working conditions and psychological burden. 

Conclusions: Seafarers have a higher cardiovascular risk because, among other things, the prevalence of “old and new” risk factors among them is higher than in general population. 

Abstract

Background: Cardiovascular diseases are still the most common cause of death from natural causes among seafarers. The aim of the study was to determine which of the cardiovascular risk factors listed in the current recommendations of the European Society of Cardiology occur among seafarers.

Materials and methods: The paper is a review of literature from PubMed Database. 

Results: Based on conducted analysis of over 31 papers high prevalence of classic and other cardiovascular risk factors among seafarers was proven. The most common risk factors among off-shore workers are overweight and obesity (over 64%); moreover, these factors occur more often among seafarers than in the general popula- tion. Also hypertension, smoking, type 2 diabetes and unfavourable lipid profile were present more often in this occupational group. In the analysed studies attention was also paid to factors often overlooked in risk assess- ment such as mental and inflammatory illnesses, unfavourable working conditions and psychological burden. 

Conclusions: Seafarers have a higher cardiovascular risk because, among other things, the prevalence of “old and new” risk factors among them is higher than in general population. 

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Keywords

cardiovascular risk; seafarers; ischaemic heart disease; hypertension, stroke

About this article
Title

Is it worth to continue to analyse the factors of cardiovascular risk among the sailors? Review of literature

Journal

International Maritime Health

Issue

Vol 70, No 1 (2019)

Article type

Review article

Pages

17-21

Published online

2019-03-28

Page views

1738

Article views/downloads

1314

DOI

10.5603/IMH.2019.0003

Pubmed

30931513

Bibliographic record

IMH 2019;70(1):17-21.

Keywords

cardiovascular risk
seafarers
ischaemic heart disease
hypertension
stroke

Authors

Joanna Szafran-Dobrowolska
Marcin Renke
Maria Jeżewska

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