Coronary Artery Disease Risk Factors in Truck Drivers, BandarAbbas, Iran (2009-2010)

Professional drivers are at an increased risk of myocardial infarction but the underlying causes for this increased risks are uncertain. Unfortunately، ascending trend of these diseases in developing countries as well as Iran is disquieting. This study is aimed to determine the most prevalent risk factors of coronary artery disease in the truck drivers in the years 2007 to 2008. In this descriptive-analytic study، 448 truck drivers were randomly selected. A questionnaire containing their demographic characteristics was completed and for all the study subjects، body mass index، blood pressure، FBS، LDL، HDL، and TG was determined using fasting blood samples. Data were analyzed using SPSS; t-test and chi-square test were used for statistical analysis with significance level of 0. 05. The results showed that mean the age of the drivers who were aii males was 38±7. 34 years old with 94% of them being under 55 years old. Fifty seven point six percent of the cases smoked cigarette or hookah and 73. 9% of them were considered obese (BMI>25) on body mass index. Furthermore، there was a significant relationship between high blood pressure and high body mass index. Cholesterol over 200 mg/dl and TG of over 200 were found in 56. 3% and 23% of the drivers respectively. The findings showed that HDL was lower than 45 mg/dl in 47. 1% of the cases while biochemical analysis of the blood showed LDL of higher than 160 mg/dl in 17. 9% and higher than 130 mg/dl in 64. 4% of the Cases. Coronary artery disease risk factors such as smoking، high body mass index، blood pressure and high lipid indexes is prevalant in truck drivers. The important part of these data shows that obesity for its unelectable effect on other risk factors should be considered with more sensitivity by health policy authorities.