Younger and Middle-aged Male Workers are the Subjects Who Need to Pay Attention to Prevention for Cardiovascular Diseases

Abstract

 Cardiovascular diseases are the number causes of death for subjects aged 75 years old or more in Japan. To tackle this problem in advance, attention should be paid to subjects of young and middle working age. We conducted a prospective cohort study with a median follow-up of 8 years of a total of 30,636 healthy males aged 20–61 years who were not on medication. The adjusted hazard ratios (HR; 95% confidence interval) for total cardiovascular events (CVD) were 2.63 (1.32, 4.72), and those for death were 4.88 (2.95, 7.96) for subjects with metabolic syndrome. CVD events increased from an systolic blood pressure level of 120–129 mmHg (adjusted HR, 2.02; 1.15, 3.57) to 140–149 mmHg (7.91; 4.28–14.6), when BP 109/74 mmHg or less as references. CVD events increased as DBP increased. A DBP level of 90–94 mmHg was statistically significant (adjusted HR 10.1; 5.14, 19.2). The adjusted hazard ratios for CVD were 3.19 (1.66, 6.41) for heavy smokers (≥21/day) compared to never-smokers. heavy smokers (≥21/day) compared to never-smokers. Cumulative incidence of hypertension was significantly higher in subjects with proteinuria ≥+ and subjects with serum uric acid levels ≥7.0 mg/dL. In Japan, annual medical checkups are mandatory under the Industrial Safety and Health Law, and therefore we healthcare can provide young- and middle-aged workers with good opportunities to aware their health problems. To prevention for future cardiovascular disease, we should make good use of the results of medical checkup.