Stroke and infarction are two conditions that can seriously affect a person’s life quality. Both are related to circulatory problems, which can lead to brain damage, heart attacks, and other related complications.
Several factors contribute to the occurrence of these conditions, including individual lifestyle habits, genetics, and workplace conditions. According to recent studies, some occupations appear to have higher incidences of strokes and heart attacks. This article explores 30 careers that come with a higher risk of stroke and infarction.
1. Construction Workers
Construction workers’ job involves working in extreme temperatures, high altitudes, and uncomfortable positions.
According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, there is a high rate of heart attacks among construction workers aged 45 years and above. Construction work also involves heavy lifting, which puts a lot of strain on the body and increases the chances of heart-related issues.
2. Welders
Welders work in environments that contain harmful fumes and gases, which can cause respiratory issues and trigger strokes.
The radiant heat released from welding arcs has also been linked to circulatory problems, which makes welders vulnerable to heart attacks.
3. Firefighters
Firefighting is a physically and mentally demanding profession that causes stress on the body and mind. Firefighters are often exposed to hazardous materials and chemical fumes, which can trigger strokes and heart attacks.
They also have to work in high-pressure situations that can lead to anxiety and depression, further increasing the risk of cardiovascular problems.
4. Hospital Workers
Hospital workers, including nurses, doctors, and other staff, work in emotionally demanding jobs that involve dealing with sick and dying patients.
This work can lead to burnout and exhaustion, which increases the risk of heart-related problems such as stroke and infarction.
5. Police Officers
Police work involves high levels of stress and physical activity, which can cause heart-related issues. Intense car chases, shootouts, and other high-pressure situations can trigger a stroke or heart attack.
Police officers are also at risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder, further increasing the risk of cardiovascular problems.
6. Air Traffic Controllers
Air traffic controllers work in high-pressure jobs, where they must monitor and manage air traffic to ensure safety. They are required to work long hours, which can cause fatigue and stress, leading to an increased risk of cardiovascular problems.
7. Pilots
Pilots work in challenging conditions, particularly commercial airline pilots who must endure long hours or working time and jet lag. These conditions can result in hypertension, which leads to an increased risk of stroke and cardiac complications.
8. Long-Haul Drivers
Long-haul drivers work in conditions that expose them to driving hazards such as fatigue, long hours of sedentary work, and poor dietary habits that can lead to heart-related issues.
Driving also leads to vehicle movement-related vibration that can accelerate the accumulation of small thrombi in the heart.
9. Chefs
Chefs spend long hours standing, bending, lifting, and carrying heavy objects. They also work in hot environments with high-pressure situations, which can lead to exhaustion and stress.
These working conditions can increase the likelihood of heart-related issues.
10. Athletes
Athletes are more prone to develop cardiovascular problems due to the physical stress that comes with athletic activities.
The high levels of physical exertion involved in sports increase the chances of cardiovascular issues such as stroke and heart attacks.
11. Smokers
Smoking is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, including stroke and heart attacks. People who smoke are encouraged to quit or reduce smoking to lower their chances of developing cardiovascular disease.
12. Miners
Miners work in hazardous environments that expose them to respiratory and circulatory risks. The accumulation of coal dust and other inhaled particles can trigger respiratory issues leading to circulatory problems.
13. Farmers
Farmers engage in physically demanding activities such as lifting heavy farm equipment, bending down and standing up frequently. These activities increase the likelihood of developing cardiovascular problems over time.
14. Professional Drivers
Professional drivers have sedentary work, often with long hours of driving and minimal opportunities to exercise. They are also at risk of developing hypertension due to the demanding nature of their work.
15. Oilfield Workers
Oilfield workers work in demanding environments that put a strain on their bodies and mind. They are often exposed to hazardous materials and chemicals such as crude oil and hydrocarbons, which can cause respiratory issues and trigger heart attacks.
16. Military Personnel
Military personnel work in high-pressure and physically demanding operations that put them at risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
Besides, military jobs often require deployment in hostile environments that expose them to pollution, stress, and other factors that increase the likelihood of developing heart-related problems.
17. Stressful Job Holders
Working in a high-stress job with long hours of sitting can increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
These jobs often require high levels of concentration, which can trigger physical and psychological exhaustion leading to heart-related issues.
18. Electricians
Electricians work in hazardous environments that expose them to electric shock and electrocution, leading to brain damage and heart attacks.
They also specialize in high-pressure situations that can trigger stress and exhaustion, further increasing the risk of heart-related issues.
19. Teachers
Teaching is a mentally and emotionally demanding job that can lead to stress and exhaustion. Teachers frequently work long hours and are under constant pressure to meet deadlines, all of which increase their risk of developing cardiovascular problems.
20. Heavy Machine Operators
Heavy machine operators work in industrial and construction sites where they use heavy machinery to excavate materials, remove debris and clear land.
This work involves long hours of sedentary work, heavy lifting, and exposure to high decibels of environmental noise, which can accelerate hearing loss and other circulatory problems.
21. Musicians
Professional musicians are prone to hearing loss, which increases their risk of developing cardiovascular problems such as high blood pressure.
Musicians are often exposed to loud, high-intensity sound levels that can damage auditory nerve endings leading to cardiovascular disease.
22. Artists
Artists work in solitary environments that often require sedentary work. The lack of physical activities increases the likelihood of weight gain, which leads to cardiovascular risk problems.
23. Entrepreneurs
Entrepreneurs often work long hours with minimal opportunities to exercise, leading to weight gain and hypertension. They also have to deal with the stress of managing their business, which increases the risk of heart-related issues.
24. Event Planners
Event planners work in high-pressure, sedentary jobs, which can increase the likelihood of weight gain and hypertension.
They also have to deal with the stress of meeting deadlines, managing budgets and dealing with demanding clients, all of which elevate the risk of cardiovascular issues.
25. Massage Therapists
Massage therapists spend long hours standing and exerting physical efforts that increase the risk of developing cardiovascular problems. They are also exposed to client stress and emotional tension, leading to exhaustion and burnout.
26. Office Workers
Office jobs often require long hours of sedentary work, which elevate the risk of hypertension, stiffness, and weight gain. The lack of physical activity and exposure to stress also increase the likelihood of cardiovascular problems over time.
27. Lawyers
Lawyers often work long hours of sedentary work, increasing their likelihood of hypertension, stiffness, and weight gain.
Lawyers also have to manage high-stress situations and deal with difficult clients, leading to exhaustion and burnout, which elevates the risk of cardiovascular problems.
28. Accountants
Accountants work in high-stress environments that require long hours of sedentary work. These conditions increase the likelihood of hypertension, stiffness, and weight gain, all of which elevate the risk of developing cardiovascular problems over time.
29. Pilates Instructors
Pilates instructors spend long hours standing and engaging in physical activities that increase the risk of developing cardiovascular problems.
They are also prone to exhaustion and stress due to the emotional demands of their work, leading to burnout and further increasing the risk of cardiovascular problems.
30. Customer Service Representatives
Customer service representatives often spend long hours of sedentary work and are prone to dealing with difficult or irate customers.
These situations can trigger high levels of stress leading to exhaustion and burnout, which elevates the risk of cardiovascular disease.