The jobs that may increase heart problem among women are social workers, retail cashiers, nurses, psychiatrists, and home health aides, according to latest data on women.
A Women's Health Initiative study analyzed the possible link between jobs and heart problem using data gathered from 65,000 women whose average age was 63 years and who had already reached menopause.
The team categorized the participants based on American Heart Association's (AHA) cardiovascular health measurements. The study noted the 20 most common occupations among the participants.
The lifestyle factors scrutinized in the study are smoking status, weight, physical activity, and nutrition, as well as health risk factors, including total cholesterol, blood pressure, and fasting blood sugar.
Based on the study's findings, almost 13% of the female participants showed poor cardiovascular health. Researchers spotted an association between specific jobs and an increased risk of heart health problems in these individuals.
Women in social work were 36% more likely to experience cardiovascular health problems than those with other occupations. Meanwhile, retail cashiers showed a 33% higher risk of cardiovascular issues.
Nurses, psychiatrists, and home health aides presented 16% higher likelihood of developing heart issues. Nurses, in particular, reported a 14% higher risk of cardiovascular problems.
Moreover, the investigators uncovered an association between some occupations and a lower risk of cardiovascular health issues. Occupations that registered lower risk of heart problems are female real estate brokers and sales agents, with 24%, and administrative assistants, with 11%.
"Several of the professions that had high risk of poor cardiovascular health were health care providers, such as nurses and home health aides. This is surprising because these women are likely more knowledgeable about cardiovascular health risk factors," said Bede Nriagu from Drexel University in Philadelphia and one of the study's authors.
"We interpret this to mean that it's important to look beyond individual factors, such as health knowledge, to better understand the context of health care and other jobs that negatively impact cardiovascular health in women.
