AN OBSERVATIONAL STUDY ON CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH AMONG SECURITY GUARDS IN SANGLI CITY

Abstract

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of disability and early mortality in India, with prevalence rising significantly in recent decades. Security guards represent a unique occupational group facing specific stressors, including irregular hours and environmental exposure, yet they remain under-researched regarding cardiovascular health. This study aims to evaluate cardiovascular risk and heart rate recovery (HRR) among security guards in Sangli City. Methods: An observational study was conducted involving 180 security guards (aged 25–60 years) in Sangli, India. Cardiovascular risk was assessed using the QRISK Calculator, while functional capacity and autonomic recovery were measured using the YMCA Step Test (3-minute duration). Heart rate recovery was classified using the BEATS model. Results: Of the 180 participants, 68.9% were male and 31.1% were female. QRISK scoring classified 35.6% (n=64) of participants as "High Risk" for CVD, while 51.1% (n=92) were "Low Risk." In terms of heart rate recovery, only 30% demonstrated "Great" or "Good" recovery. Conversely, 31.1% fell into the "Need Significant Improvement" category, and 12.8% "Needed Improvement." Analysis of substance use among the 90 participants reporting addictions revealed high prevalence of smoking (26.67%) and tobacco chewing (20%). Conclusion: A substantial proportion of security guards in Sangli City exhibit high cardiovascular risk and suboptimal heart rate recovery. These findings highlight an urgent need for targeted occupational health interventions, including lifestyle modification and preventive physiotherapy, to manage cardiovascular risk in this vulnerable workforce ‘