Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) include a wide range of health conditions impacting the heart and blood vessels. This can include coronary artery disease, cerebrovascular disease (e.g. stroke), and peripheral arterial disease, just to name a few. But certain risk factors for CVDs, such as high cholesterol and hypertension (high blood pressure), are comorbid health conditions in their own rights. And all these conditions can bring additional complexity in managing the health and treatment of injured workers.
Common Cardiovascular Conditions and Statistics
- Approximately 28.6 million adults in the U.S. – 9.9% of adults – have some type of CVD, such as coronary artery disease, heart failure, stroke, etc.
- This jumps to an estimated 127.9 million adults in the U.S.- 48.6% of adults - when adding hypertension
- 1 in 20 adults have coronary artery disease
- 1 in 5 deaths in the U.S. under the age of 65 are from heart disease
Key CVD Risk Factors
- 116-122 million adults in the U.S. – or 47.3% – have hypertension
- 86 million adults in the U.S. have borderline-high or high cholesterol
Risk Factors for CVD
Hypertension, high cholesterol, and smoking are the “big three” risk factors for CVDs. However, other risk factors that can increase the likelihood of developing CVDs include:
- Diabetes which affects 38.4 million people
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Unhealthy diets, particularly those high in sodium, saturated fats, trans fats, or cholesterol
- Obesity, which impacts 41.9% of the population
- Lack of exercise, with only 24.2% of adults practicing regular aerobic exercise
- Certain genetic factors and family history
- Insufficient sleep, which is reported in 32% of women and 33% of men
- Excess stress
Cardiovascular Comorbidities in Injured Workers
When considering the prevalence and impact of CVDs and related conditions in the workers’ comp population, age is a consideration when comparing to national statistics. In the U.S., CVD is most prevalent in individuals 75 years of age and older, an age range that – while relevant in today’s workforce – does not reflect a majority of the working population.
That being said, comorbid CVDs and hypertension have played a growing role in the management of workers’ comp claims over the last two decades – with negative impacts on cost, utilization of services, and lost time.
There are many reasons for this. From a recovery standpoint, these comorbidities can directly prolong wound healing due to reduced or poor blood supply to the wound – increasing the risk for chronic wounds in people with high blood pressure or other vascular diseases. These patients may also require additional or special services. For example, people with CVDs are more likely to be seen in a cardiac rehab clinic for physical therapy services so that they can be monitored throughout their therapy sessions in the event anything goes wrong.
One key area where these comorbidities bring added complexity is in prescription drug management.
