The increased risk
Cardiovascular disease is a group of health conditions affecting the heart and blood vessels. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 1 in 3 deaths that happen in the U.S. every year is due to cardiovascular disease – that’s one cardiovascular-related death every 34 seconds. Research suggest that adult male farmers have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease compared to non-farmers of a similar age.
Diseases that affect the cardiovascular system include clogged arteries, heart disease, heart attack, stroke, heart failure, arrhythmia, and problems with the valves inside the heart. These conditions can lead to a wide range of debilitating consequences including disability, increased medical costs, loss of independence, reductions in quality of life and increased risk of death.
Your chances of being diagnosed with cardiovascular disease depend on several risk factors. Age, race, and family history are a few of the things that are not controllable, but several other risk factors are preventable, mostly by making healthier lifestyle choices.
According to the CDC, the following are some of the leading preventable causes of cardiovascular disease:
• High blood pressure
• High levels of certain types of cholesterol in the blood
• Unhealthy diet such as eating to much processed food and not enough whole grains, vegetables and fruits.
• Physical inactivity
• Smoking and exposure to second hand smoke
• Lifestyle related health conditions like obesity and type 2 diabetes
A recent review that collected data that looked at the relationship between cardiovascular disease and farmers found that male farmers aged 45 and up have an increased risk of heart disease compared to their non-farming peers.
Some of the possible explanations for that include the fact that famers tend to experience higher levels of stress over things such as weather, market fluctuations, equipment malfunctions and financial hardship. Farmers also tend to live in rural areas with limited access to health care. Farmers also tend to ignore or downplay their susceptibility to heart disease and put off necessary steps to improve their wellness.
It is never to late to start improving your heart health and farmers can take action now to reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease.
Find a favorite stress-busting activity and do it regularly. Chronic stress is hard on the heart and may cause high blood pressure and overeating. Make stress management a part of your daily routine.
Don’t be afraid to speak up and talk about heart healthy habits with neighbors, colleagues, employees and family. Set a good example by practicing these habits yourself.
Connect with local resources such as your state extension offices where there are many resources available and experts to answer any questions you may have. Seeking out a local gym or purchasing a piece of equipment for your home such as a stationary bike or treadmill is a good way to incorporate some low impact movement.
Yearly bloodwork and a visit to your primary care physician for a checkup and tests as well as any other health concerns should be a part of your yearly routine. Like routine and yearly maintenance on your farm equipment and livestock, it is important to make sure everything is functioning and running in top shape when it comes to your heart.
