Analysis of occupational risk factors causing diseases of the circulatory system in medical workers: literature review

The review focuses on analysis of domestic and foreign literature sources concentrating on influence exerted by occupational factors and factors related to labor process on prevalence of diseases of the circulatory system (CSD) among medical workers. At present, specific features typical for occupational activities performed by medical workers are proven to be among major causes of high CSD prevalence among them. Experts have established most common occupational factors and labor-related factors that are able to induce and stimulate development of cardiovascular pathology. Labor intensity associated with neuro-emotional loads, high responsibility, round-the-clock working regime and night shifts (hazard category 3.2-3.3) is established to have a leading role among adverse labor-related factors for medical workers. Other significant contributions are made by adverse chemicals and biological agents, noise and ultrasound, laser exposure and ionizing radiation. Some authors showed that CSD prevalence was considerably higher among medical workers than among people employed in other industries. The highest CSD prevalence was detected among medical workers with the most adverse working conditions (hazard category 3.2-3.3). A high degree of occupational conditionality for CSD is typical for surgeons, therapists, and phthisiatricians. Emergency doctors run the highest risk of CSD (RR = 3.1; EF = 67.7 %). Assessment cardiovascular risks according to the SCORE system revealed that approximately 15 % medical workers older than 40 ran moderate cardiovascular risks; medical workers older than 50, high (20.0-22.0 %) or extremely high (10.0-12.5 %) total risks of death due to CSD.