Cardiovascular Risk Assessment among Different Occupational Groups: A Comparative Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs), the world’s leading cause of morbidity and mortality, are increasing among working-age populations in low- and middle-income nations. Atherosclerotic CVD (ASCVD) results largely from metabolic, behavioural, and occupational risk factors. Group C (clerical, ministerial, technical, and skilled supervisory staff) and Group D (Multi-Tasking Staff (MTS) performing manual, housekeeping, and support-related work) employees may be disproportionately at risk owing to lower socioeconomic status, occupational stress, restricted healthcare access, and unhealthy lifestyle patterns. Aim: To compare 10-year ASCVD risk profiles between Group C and Group D employees and to identify modifiable and non modifiable factors influencing cardiovascular risk in these occupational groups. Materials and Methods: The present cross-sectional analytical study was conducted between March 2025 and January 2026 at a private medical college in Belagavi, Karnataka, among 100 Group C and Group D employees. Anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, metabolic markers {total cholesterol, High Density Lipoprotein (HDL), Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL), Triglycerides (TGL), Random Blood Sugar (RBS)}, and sociodemographic/lifestyle data were recorded. Ten-year and lifetime ASCVD risk were calculated using the American Heart Association (AHA) ASCVD Risk Estimator (ACC/AHA 2013 pooled cohort equations); participants were categorised as low (<5%), borderline (5-7.4%), intermediate (7.5-19.99%), or high risk (≥20%). The Chi-square and MannWhitney U tests were used to compare groups; p <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Group C comprised 58 participants and Group D 42 (mean age 44.55±8.44 vs 44.07±7.93 years). Males predominated in Group D (88.1% vs 53.4%; p=0.001). Calculated 10-year ASCVD risk was statistically similar between Group C (5.29±4.02%) and Group D (5.00±4.36%; p=0.468); lifetime and optimal risk were also comparable. Group C had significantly higher RBS (p=0.012), while gender distribution (p=0.001) and diabetes medication use (p=0.017) differed significantly between groups. Age was the strongest correlate of 10-year ASCVD risk (r=0.798, p=0.001), followed by RBS (r=0.301, p=0.012) and Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) (r=0.244, p=0.044). Conclusion: The 10-year cardiovascular risk did not differ significantly between Group C and Group D employees, despite differences in the distribution of individual risk factors. Age was the strongest non modifiable predictor, while blood pressure and glycaemic control were the key modifiable determinants. Riskstratified occupational screening targeting blood pressure and blood sugar, particularly among older employees, is warranted.