Workers exposed to asbestos as part of their job are at significantly greater risk of heart disease and stroke than the general population, finds research published online in Occupational and Environmental Medicine.
The research indicates women seem to be at greater risk than men.
It is well known that asbestos can cause mesothelioma and asbestosis, as a direct result of their exposure .
The researchers explored the impact of asbestos as an inflammatory agent on the risk of heart disease and stroke.
They analysed cause of death among just under 100,000 asbestos workers taking part in regular voluntary health monitoring and answering questions on levels of exposure for the Asbestos Workers Survey.
The average monitoring period = 19 years
The average age on the date of the first medical examination being 35.
Over half of the men (58%) and women (52%) were smokers at the time of their first medical examination, proportions which had fallen only slightly (55% and 49%) at the time of their last medical examination. Smoking is a known risk factor for heart attack and stroke.
The research team compared the number of deaths from stroke and heart attacks among these workers between 1971 and 2005 against the number that would be expected to occur in the general population (standardised mortality ratios).
During the study period, 15,557 people died from all causes.
Stroke accounted for just over 1000 deaths while heart disease caused for another 4000.
Male asbestos workers were 63% more likely to die of a stroke and 39% more likely to die of heart disease. The corresponding figures for women were, respectively, 100% and 89%.
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