Cardiovascular health at work

Cardiovascular diseases represent one of the most significant public health challenges in the EU. They include a diverse and complex group of disorders, such as coronary heart disease and strokes, that affect the heart, blood vessels and the vascular system of the brain. As multifactorial diseases, they can result from a combination of lifestyle and behavioural factors, pre-existing health conditions, genetic predispositions, socioeconomic and environmental influences, as well as occupational risks.

The workplace therefore plays an important role in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases. Understanding these risks and their impact on cardiovascular health is essential for designing effective measures to prevent work-related cardiovascular diseases and support healthier working lives.

The burden of work-related cardiovascular diseases

Cardiovascular diseases account for approximately 1.71 million deaths in the EU each year. While their prevalence varies across countries, they are the second most common cause of work-related deaths in the EU.

In addition to their impact on health, cardiovascular diseases can affect workers’ quality of life, work capacity and ability to remain in employment. They are also associated with costs related to sickness absence, long-term disability, early retirement and reduced productivity, with the overall annual cost to the EU economy estimated at more than €210 billion. Preventing work-related cardiovascular diseases supports workers’ wellbeing while helping organisations and society manage these impacts.

Workplace risk factors for cardiovascular diseases

Work-related cardiovascular diseases can result from a combination of workplace risk factors, such as:

• Psychosocial risks, including high job demands, low job control, long working hours, shift work, workplace violence and bullying can lead to stress which may affect cardiovascular health.
• Ergonomic risk factors, such as heavy physical work, prolonged sitting or standing.
• Physical risk factors like extreme temperatures, noise, vibration and radiation.
• Chemical exposures, including heavy metals, particles, dusts, engine exhaust emissions and some pesticides.
• Biological agents, including certain infectious diseases like COVID-19.

The types and level of risks differ between sectors, occupations and worker groups. In addition, factors such as age, gender, socioeconomic aspects, existing health conditions and lifestyle may influence how occupational exposures affect cardiovascular health.

Cardiovascular health on the EU policy agenda

The European Commission highlights the need to improve prevention of work-related cardiovascular diseases as a key objective in the EU Strategic Framework on Health and Safety at Work 2021-2027. Other EU initiatives, such as the Healthier together – EU non-communicable diseases initiative, the Safe Hearts Plan and the European Parliament’s Public Health Committee’s reaction to the plan, show the importance of coordinated action to improve cardiovascular health across the EU.

EU-OSHA's research on work-related cardiovascular diseases

EU-OSHA is carrying out a large-scale research programme on work-related cardiovascular diseases. The aim is to improve understanding of how work influences cardiovascular health to support evidence-based prevention across the EU.

The research programme examines the occupational risk factors associated with cardiovascular diseases, and explores how work-related and non-work-related risks interact. It identifies sectors, occupations and worker groups at greater risk and analyses the burden of work-related cardiovascular diseases across the EU. It also reviews policies, strategies, workplace interventions and practical resources that help prevent cardiovascular diseases, as well as those that support workers safely returning to work after a cardiovascular event or remaining in work with chronic cardiovascular conditions.

The findings will contribute to the evidence base for preventing work-related cardiovascular diseases and inform the Healthy Workplaces Campaign ‘Together for mental health at work’, particularly regarding the links between psychosocial risks and cardiovascular health.