Strokes are one of the leading causes of death worldwide and a major cause of disability among adults. According to the World Health Organization, 15 million people worldwide suffer from stroke each year, and over 5 million die from it.

Stroke is caused by disrupted blood flow to the brain, usually due to a blockage or rupture of a blood vessel. Several factors can increase the risk of stroke, including high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, smoking, obesity, and lack of physical activity. However, some jobs and occupations may also increase the risk of stroke.

In this article, we will explore which occupation poses the highest risk of stroke.

1. Transportation and Material Moving Occupations

According to a study published in the journal Stroke in 2016, people employed in transportation and material moving occupations have a higher risk of ischemic stroke than those in other occupations.

Ischemic stroke occurs when an artery supplying blood to the brain is blocked, cutting off the oxygen and nutrients needed for brain cells to function. This type of stroke accounts for about 87% of all stroke cases.

The study analyzed data from the Health and Retirement Study, which followed nearly 18,000 people aged 50 or older for up to 12 years.

The researchers found that people in transportation and material moving occupations had a 60% higher risk of ischemic stroke compared to people in professional and managerial occupations, after adjusting for other factors such as age, sex, race, education, income, smoking, and medical history. The risk was particularly high for men in these occupations, who had a 80% higher risk of ischemic stroke.

2. Healthcare Support Occupations

An analysis of data from the National Health Interview Survey, conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 2015, found that people in healthcare support occupations have a higher prevalence of stroke risk factors than those in other occupations. Healthcare support occupations include nursing assistants, home health aides, and medical assistants, among others.

The study found that people in healthcare support occupations had a higher prevalence of high blood pressure, obesity, physical inactivity, smoking, and diabetes than those in other occupations.

These risk factors are all known to increase the risk of stroke. The study also found that people in healthcare support occupations were less likely to have health insurance than people in other occupations, which may contribute to poorer health outcomes and delayed treatment.

3. Protective Service Occupations

A study published in the journal Neurology in 2019 found that people in protective service occupations, such as firefighting and law enforcement, had a higher risk of stroke than those in other occupations.

The study analyzed data from the REGARDS study, which followed over 30,000 people aged 45 or older for up to 10 years.

The researchers found that people in protective service occupations had a 25% higher risk of stroke than those in other occupations, after adjusting for other factors such as age, sex, race, education, income, smoking, and medical history.

The risk was particularly high for men in these occupations, who had a 44% higher risk of stroke. The study also found that people in protective service occupations had a higher prevalence of risk factors such as smoking, physical inactivity, and poor diet than those in other occupations.

4. Shift Work

Several studies have found that shift work, especially night shift work, is associated with a higher risk of stroke.

Shift work can disrupt the body’s natural circadian rhythm and affect various physiological processes, including blood pressure, glucose metabolism, and inflammatory responses. These disruptions may contribute to an increased risk of stroke.

A meta-analysis published in the journal Stroke in 2015 found that shift work was associated with a 8% higher risk of ischemic stroke and a 17% higher risk of hemorrhagic stroke, which occurs when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures and bleeds.

The risk was highest for night shift work and for workers who had been engaged in shift work for 10 years or more.

5. Construction and Extraction Occupations

A study published in the American Journal of Industrial Medicine in 2018 found that people in construction and extraction occupations have a higher risk of stroke than those in other occupations.

These occupations involve manual labor, often in outdoor environments, and may expose workers to various physical and environmental hazards, such as noise, vibration, dust, and extreme temperatures.

The study analyzed data from the National Health Interview Survey, which included over 270,000 adults aged 18-64.

The researchers found that people in construction and extraction occupations had a 20% higher prevalence of stroke than those in other occupations, after adjusting for other factors such as age, sex, race, education, income, smoking, and medical history. The risk was particularly high for those who reported poor physical health and those who had worked in their occupation for 10 years or more.

Other Occupations

While the above occupations may pose a higher risk of stroke, it’s important to note that stroke can happen to anyone, regardless of their job or occupation.

Many other factors, such as genetics, lifestyle, and medical conditions, can also affect a person’s risk of stroke.

Therefore, it’s important to maintain a healthy lifestyle, manage risk factors, and seek medical attention promptly if you experience symptoms of stroke, such as sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg; sudden confusion or trouble speaking or understanding speech; sudden difficulty seeing in one or both eyes; sudden severe headache with no known cause; or sudden loss of balance or coordination.

Conclusion

Strokes can have devastating consequences, including death, disability, and reduced quality of life. While several factors can increase the risk of stroke, some occupations may also pose a higher risk than others.

Transportation and material moving occupations, healthcare support occupations, protective service occupations, shift work, and construction and extraction occupations are some of the occupations that have been associated with a higher risk of stroke, according to various studies. However, stroke can happen to anyone, regardless of their occupation, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle and managing risk factors are key to reducing the risk of stroke.