Prevalence of coronary risk factors in load transport drivers

INTRODUCTION: Non-communicable diseases are the main cause of mortality worldwide, with risk factors that contribute to their development, including those associated with work activity. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the prevalence of risk factors related to the development of non-communicable diseases and their relationship with work activity in professional load transport drivers. METHODS: Eighty male truck drivers were assessed (39.73±10.91 years) with 15.22±12.09 years of professional experience. In addition to collection of anthropometric data and measurement of blood data, drivers answered three questionnaires: Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire, Coronary Risk, and Finnish Diabetes Risk Score. Descriptive and inferential analyses were performed using Pearson correlation and Student’s t test, considering a significance level of p < 0.05. RESULTS: The results showed a prevalence of arterial hypertension of 31.30% and a medium coronary risk (46.30%), a factor that was directly associated with time of professional performance (r = 0.519; p < 0.05). Of the 80 truck drivers, 48.80% were physically inactive, 73.80% were overweight, and 7.50% had a high risk for the development of diabetes. CONCLUSIONS: The professional category studied presents an excess risk for health problems in the context of non-communicable diseases due to the peculiar characteristics of their profession.