O-078 the Association Between Heavy Physical Workload and Ischemic Heart Disease Mortality Among Middle Aged and Older Swedish Men

Introduction Earlier studies show inconsistent results regarding effects of heavy physical work on ischemic heart disease (IHD) mortality. The aim was to examine the association between heavy physical workload at 54-56 years of age and IHD mortality among men 55-71 years of age, while accounting for early life factors such as socioeconomic position during childhood and health, cognitive ability, lifestyle factors including smoking measured during young adulthood, as well as later educational level and job control. Methods The study is based on a register linked cohort of 46 565 men who conscripted for military service in Sweden 1969-1970. Physical workload was measured using a job-exposure matrix linked to their registered occupation in 2005. Mean values of a composite physical exposure variable based on eight different physical exposures were categorized into quintiles. The men were followed regarding IHD deaths between 2006-2020. Results and discussion Increased relative risk of deaths in IHD were found among workers exposed to high (HR 2.64, CI 95% 2.05-3.39), medium-high (HR 2.74, CI 95% 2.13-3.51), medium (HR 1.81, CI 95% 1.39-2.36) and medium-low (HR 1.41, CI 95% 1.07-1.86) levels of physical workload, compared with those exposed to a low level. The increased risks remained but were clearly attenuated after adjustments for pre-labour market factors, education and job control. Conclusion Men in physically heavy jobs during their later working life are at higher risk of IHD death than men in physically light jobs. Preventive measures at workplaces to reduce the physical workload for older employees in manual jobs are crucial to prevent inequalities in mortality.