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Abstract Background Cardiovascular diseases are a significant concern among truck drivers due to their profession's nature, involving long hours of sedentary work and exposure to various risk factors. Prevalence of risk factors associated with cardiovascular health in long-haul truck drivers and their impact on incidence of cardiovascular events are less studied. Methods A prospective cohort study was conducted among long-haul truck drivers traveling on BR 277, a major federal highway in Brazil. Truck drivers aged 18 years and above were recruited from four strategically selected locations along the route and were sequentially invited to participate while waiting to load and unload cargo. Clinical evaluations, including socio-demographic information, occupational factors, chronic disease history, medication use, lifestyle habits, and screening for obstructive sleep apnea, were performed. Physical measurements, blood glucose levels, lipid profile, ultrasensitive protein C-reactive, ankle-brachial index, left ventricular hypertrophy and heart rate variability were assessed. Participants were followed up for three years to detect the incidence of major cardiovascular events. Results The study revealed that obesity, diabetes and smoking were highly prevalent among long-haul truck drivers. A significant proportion of drivers met the criteria for metabolic syndrome and had a high-risk score for cardiovascular events. Moreover, subclinical inflammation, vascular stiffness, left ventricular overload and increased cardiac sympathetic modulation were also highly prevalent. The presence of multiple risk factors and medical conditions was associated with an increased likelihood of a major cardiovascular event. Conclusion The findings emphasize the need for targeted interventions to improve the cardiovascular health of truck drivers and promote roadway safety.
Sangaleti et al. (Fri,) studied this question.