Relationship of cardiovascular disease to stress and vital exhaustion in an urban, midwestern police department. Academic Article uri icon

abstract

  • This study explored risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) among 336 officers of a Midwestern police force. Instruments used included the Perceived Stress Scale, the Maastricht Questionnaire (measuring vital exhaustion), and a general Health Risk Appraisal. Rates of CVD, hypertension, and hypercholesterolemia were 3%, 28%, and 43%, respectively. The relative risk of hypercholesterolemia for male officers, compared to female officers, was 1.98 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.10 to 3.56). The officers' average body mass index was 28.6 (SD = 4.9), with 80% being overweight or obese. The average vital exhaustion score was higher for female officers than male officers (p < .05). Bivariate relationships of CVD with perceived stress, vital exhaustion, and age were statistically significant (p < .05). When controlling for age, odds ratios were 1.20 (95% CI, 1.03 to 1.39; p < .05) for perceived stress and 1.31 (95% CI, 1.12 to 1.53; p < .01) for vital exhaustion.

published proceedings

  • AAOHN J

author list (cited authors)

  • Ramey, S. L., Perkhounkova, Y., Downing, N. R., & Culp, K. R.

citation count

  • 19

complete list of authors

  • Ramey, Sandra L||Perkhounkova, Yelena||Downing, Nancy R||Culp, Kennith R

publication date

  • May 2011