Study Finds Over 24% of Premature Heart Disease Patients Under 40 Are Drivers

Fast Summary

• Doctors note the vulnerability of autorickshaw and cab drivers to cardiovascular diseases, citing occupational stress and lifestyle risk factors.
• An expert committee investigating sudden heart attack deaths in Hassan district found 25% (6 out of 24) deceased were auto or cab drivers. This trend aligns with findings from earlier studies.
• Data from the premature Coronary Artery Disease (PCAD) registry at Sri Jaydeva Institute shows that 24.25% (975 of 4,020) young heart attack patients (aged below 40),screened since 2017,are drivers with high prevalence of risk factors:

– Smoking: 72.9%, Diabetes: 7.10%, Hypertension: 8.3%, Obesity: 10.5%, Family history: 13.7%.

• Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) employees screened at Jayadeva reveal similar trends:

– Among more than 7,600 employees evaluated as august 2022, over 40% are vulnerable to cardiovascular diseases; key risk factors include obesity (62%), diabetes (27%), hypertension (25%), smoking (22%), and alcohol use (25%). Around half have long-distance driving roles.
– Screening efforts at Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation yield comparable data on health risks but lower smoking rates among KSRTC employees due to long-distance driving habits.

• Medical experts emphasize lifestyle interventions and periodic health screenings for professional drivers as vital preventative measures against cardiovascular diseases.

Indian Opinion Analysis
the alarming prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors among auto,cab,bus,and othre transport-sector drivers underscores a pressing public health issue in India tied deeply to occupational challenges like stress exposure to pollution-air as well atmosph================.