Heart Disease
Little is known about job risks for coronary heart disease. Studies have found heart disease in some people may be linked to certain chemical and physical factors:
- Exposure to certain chemicals, such as carbon disulfide, nitroglycerin and carbon monoxide, has been found to affect the heart.
- Environmental tobacco smoke, extreme heat, and extreme cold are possible risk factors for heart disease.
- Many studies have found a link between work-related stress and heart disease.
- There is also evidence that job noise and increased blood pressure may be linked, as well as shift work and heart disease.
- Though more physical activity results in less heart disease, heavy lifting (in work and non-work settings) has been linked with increased chance of heart attack.
NIOSH publications that relate to heart disease in working women include:
Recent investigations of cardiovascular deaths of female fire fighters:
For additional information about heart disease that applies to male and female workers, check out these other NIOSH web pages:
Heart Disease