Differences in cardiovascular risk levels between cleaning staff and hotel housekeepers

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with a greater incidence in the most disadvantaged social classes. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the level of cardiovascular risk in cleaning workers. METHODS: This was a descriptive, cross‐sectional study in 46.632 cleaning workers (40.169 women and 6.463 men). Thirty‐one different scales related to cardiovascular risk were studied (14 assessing overweight and obesity, 5 determining the risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, 5 scales of cardiovascular risk, 4 atherogenic indices, and 3 scales of metabolic syndrome, among others). The results obtained were divided between personnel who perform their cleaning tasks in the hotel and catering industry and those in other sectors. RESULTS: The prevalence of obesity and arterial hypertension in cleaning workers was over 20% in both sexes. A similar amount was observed in moderate or high values on the REGICOR (Registre GIroní del COR) scale. More than 15% presented metabolic syndrome according to the NCEP ATPIII (National Cholesterol Education Program‐Adult Treatment Program III) criteria, while over 10% of women and 20% of men had a high risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease assessed with the fatty liver index. CONCLUSION: Cardiovascular risk is higher, in both sexes, in the group of cleaning workers who work in companies other than hotels.