Subclinical Markers of Cardiovascular Disease Among Police Officers

Given the associations between obesity and cardiovascular disease (CVD), we evaluated a related but less well-established association between waist circumference and brachial artery reactivity (BAR), a functional measurement of subclinical CVD, where lower levels indicate dysfunction. Regression models examined trends in mean BAR across waist circumference tertiles in police officers, a high-stress occupational group with increased risk for CVD. Mean BAR decreased across increasing waist tertiles among men, but not women, and this association was stronger among officers who consumed more alcohol. Larger waist circumference may be associated with lower BAR, providing an opportunity for intervention prior to disease development.

Download Full-text

Awakening Cortisol And Subclinical Cardiovascular Disease Markers In Police Officers: The Buffalo C Ardio-Metabolic Occupational Police Stress (Bcops) Pilot Study

American Journal of Epidemiology ◽

10.1093/aje/163.suppl_11.s210-a ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 163 (suppl_11) ◽

pp. S210-S210

Author(s):

J M Violanti ◽

C M Burchfiel ◽

M E Andrew ◽

J Dorn ◽

D Fekedulegn ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cardiovascular Disease ◽

Pilot Study ◽

Police Officers ◽

Police Stress ◽

Disease Markers ◽

Subclinical Cardiovascular Disease

Download Full-text

Occupational Stress

American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine ◽

10.1177/1559827611418168 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 5 (6) ◽

pp. 486-493 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Chun-Jung Huang ◽

Edmund O. Acevedo

Keyword(s):

Cardiovascular Disease ◽

Law Enforcement ◽

Occupational Stress ◽

Psychological Stress ◽

Police Officers ◽

Stress Hormones ◽

Overweight And Obesity ◽

Laboratory Studies ◽

Fitness Level ◽

Cytokine Responses

Occupational stress can affect physiological and psychological homeostasis. In addition, the occupational challenges associated with firefighting and law enforcement have been linked to increased mortality ratios for ischemic heart disease when compared with other population cohorts. Laboratory studies have shown that the exacerbation of stress hormones (eg, catecholamines) following dual challenge (physical and psychological stress) may affect immune system responses, which may partially explain the link between cardiovascular disease and inflammation. Physical fitness has been shown to attenuate both cardiovascular and inflammatory cytokine responses following physical and/or psychological stress; however, criteria for safe and effective occupation-specific fitness levels have not been established. In addition, firefighters and police officers have high overweight and obesity rates, which also contribute significantly to the development of cardiovascular disease. Future investigation on the possible interaction (additive or synergistic) of obesity and psychological stress on the development of cardiovascular diseases in these professions is warranted, and a criterion for fitness level should be established for safe and effective participation in occupation-related activities.

Download Full-text

Risk Factors of Cardiovascular Disease among Ghanaian Police Officers

Cardiology and Angiology An International Journal ◽

10.9734/ca/2019/v8i430109 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 1-9

Author(s):

Miriam Essien ◽

Herman Erick Lutterodt ◽

Reginald Adjetey Annan

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Blood Pressure ◽

Cardiovascular Disease ◽

Waist Circumference ◽

Diastolic Blood Pressure ◽

Police Officers ◽

Density Lipoprotein ◽

Dietary Factors ◽

Cvd Risk Factors ◽

Cvd Risk

Background: Cardiovascular diseases continue to be a global public health burden among occupational groups like Police officers. Police officers play important roles to ensure law and order in countries. However, the nature of police work exposes them to violence and stress. Again, irregular food habits, irregular exercise, inadequate sleep, smoking and drinking are lifestyles which makes police officers prone to high incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Aim: This study looked at the prevalence of CVD risk factors among police officers in Kumasi, Ghana. Study Design: Cross- sectional. Place and Duration of study: Ashanti Regional Police Headquarters, Kumasi, Ghana, between September, 2017 to July, 2018. Methodology: Weight, height, Body Mass Index (BMI), waist circumference, lipid profile, systolic and diastolic blood pressure of 120 officers were measured. Additionally, lifestyle and dietary factors such as exercise and intake of fruits of Police officers were assessed. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 22.0. Results: Slightly more than half (63, 52.5%) of the officers were females and the remaining (57,47.5%) were males. The mean of the various CVD risk factors among the total study participants are as follows; BMI 28.184±4.461 kg/m2, waist circumference 92.702±10.941 cm, systolic blood pressure (SBP) 128.121±17.047 mmHg, diastolic blood pressure (DBP) 85.569±10.854 mmHg, fasting blood sugar 5.387±1.756 mmol/l, high density lipoprotein (HDL) 1.546±0.211 mmol/l, low density lipoprotein 2.321±0.706 mmol/l (LDL) and total cholesterol (TC) 4.362±0.906 mmol/L. Prevalence of obesity among male and female officers were 43.9% and 36.5% respectively. With regards to hypertension, policemen and women recorded 31.6% and 20.6% respectively and dyslipidemia among males and females were 43.9% and 85.7% respectively. Conclusion: The officers were generally overweight, with over a quarter having hypertension and about two-thirds having dyslipidemia, making their risk for CVDs high. Further studies to elucidate the causes are required, routine medical screening and nutritional support are recommended.

Download Full-text