To Estimate the Risk of Cardiovascular Disease in Healthcare Workers

Abstract

Background: A major cause of mortality around the world, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are most prevalent in countries like South Asia, Central Asia, and Eastern Europe, including Pakistan, with a twin disease burden of communicable and non-communicable disease. HCWs, even though they are at the forefront of fighting CVDs, are most vulnerable because of work-related stress and uneven shifts. By employing the QRISK2 calculator, in the present research CVD risk among healthcare workers is attempted to be measured. By identifying those at risk, special measures can be implemented for their well-being over the long term and their capacity to provide high-standard treatment.

Study Design: A descriptive cross-sectional study.

 Duration and Place of Study: This study was conducted in People’s University of Medical and Health Sciences for Women Nawabshah from February 2024 to February 2025.

Objective: To estimate the risk of cardiovascular disease in healthcare workers.

Methodology: In this cross-sectional descriptive study, 200 health profession workers aged 25-60 years had their cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors determined. Biochemical and modified QRISK2 questionnaires were used to gather data. Demographic, lifestyle, and physiological variables were processed with SPSS 22. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square, and Independent Sample T-tests were used, with p<0.05 as the level of significance. To establish study validity, ethical approval and informed consent were sought.

Results: Using the QRISK2 calculator, the cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk was estimated in 200 health care workers (HCWs). They were predominantly men aged 36 years on average. Paramedics, light smokers, males, and individuals with diabetes or a positive family history were at increased risk of CVD. Very few of them were categorized as high-risk subjects, and the majority were low-risk. The findings indicate the need for individually addressed preventative measures in the at-risk groups among the healthcare workers.

Conclusion: Healthcare workers involved in this research had a low overall risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD).