Nursing staff are disproportionately affected by cardiovascular diseases
26.09.2023 11:46
In nursing professions, work intensity and stress are more the rule than the exception. This is also reflected in the cardiovascular-related illnesses and periods of incapacity for work among nursing employees. Current evaluations by the AOK Federal Association on the occasion of World Heart Day on September 29th show an above-average burden in the care sector.
Accordingly, the rate of incapacity to work due to cardiovascular diseases in the nursing professions in 2022 was twelve percent higher than in all other professions (8.4 AU cases versus 7.5 AU cases per 100 AOK-insured employees) . Even with the dominant diagnosis of high blood pressure, the proportion was around twelve percent higher than in all other professions. Within the nursing professions, geriatric nursing professions in particular are above the nursing average, with an increase of 36 percent in cases of illness. It is also noticeable that as employees get older, the already above-average cardiovascular-related absences in the nursing sector increase sharply (4.2 AU cases per 100 members among 20-29 year olds versus 17.4 AU cases per 100 members over 60 years of age).
Werner Winter, expert in occupational health management at the AOK Federal Association, sees two main causes for the increased cardiovascular strain on nursing professions: “Shift work in nursing can permanently disrupt the sleep-wake rhythm - with negative consequences for the heart. In addition, physical strain and working in a forced position often lead not only to diseases of the musculoskeletal system, but also to overloading of the cardiovascular system. They can restrict blood flow to the arms and legs and lead to an increase in blood pressure.”
AOK conducted over 500 stress management training courses in 2022 alone
In order to prevent cardiovascular diseases in care facilities, it is important to sensitize all company stakeholders, but especially managers, to the issue of work and health. An important tool here is the analysis of work-related health stress, says Winter: “The AOK has developed an employee survey specifically for the care industry, which specifically looks at psychological stress and helps in developing measures.”
With a view to heart health, Werner Winter recommends that nursing facilities increasingly offer their employees training to strengthen resilience and stress management. Last year alone, the AOK carried out over 500 training courses on stress management and relaxation in care facilities and hospitals. The AOK seminar “Fit for the nursing shift” provides extensive information and practical tips on the topics of sleep, stress, exercise and nutrition. “The training helps nursing staff to cope better with changing working hours. They can be carried out digitally, hybridly or in person,” says AOK expert Winter.
With the plan lasting several years “Care.Forces.Strengths” initiative The health insurance fund supports outpatient services, inpatient care facilities and hospitals throughout Germany in finding individual solutions for healthy work design. The aim of the initiative is to strengthen the entire organization and the resources of the employees so that professional nurses can enjoy their profession for a long time.