## Commercial Motor Vehicle Operators: The Unsung Heroes and their Health Risks
Behind everyday essentials like your phone, clothes, and the food you consume lies the significant efforts of the nation’s 3.5 million commercial drivers. Acting as the economy’s backbone, this demographic bears the responsibility of transporting 70% of U.S. freight. Astonishingly, 80% of U.S. communities rely on trucks for essential goods such as medication, food, raw materials, etc. However, even with their integral roles in our daily lives, commercial drivers hold one of the most perilous jobs nationwide, with an alarming 28.8 fatalities per 100,000 drivers reported in 2021.
Truck drivers not only face threats on the roads, but their health, particularly their heart health, is often compromised. In a 2023 survey published by the American Association of Occupational Health Nurses’ journal, commercial operators were identified to have a 50% increased incidence rate of cardiovascular diseases — a stark contrast to the general population’s 30% figure.
## The Occupational Risk Factors for Heart Disease among Commercial Vehicle Operators
Commercial driving is a sedentary occupation, making physical inactivity an inherent risk factor for heart disease and other cardiovascular conditions. Truck drivers often face difficulty in getting exercises during their work due to the very nature of the job and lack of exercise facilities. In a study on American truckers, an astounding 70% of the subjects reported no regular physical activity.
Additionally, these drivers often consume unhealthy food due to a lack of fresh and nutritious options on their routes. This behavior impacts their health adversely, with only 16% maintaining an appropriate weight. To stay alert, many devolve into habits such as consuming energy drinks while on duty and alcohol post-shifts. The prevalence of stress among this demographic, fueled by tight turnaround times, and the associated negative behaviors such as overeating, further strain their cardiovascular health.
## The Approach to Cardiovascular Health by FMCSA
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) recognizes the high cardiac risk among these drivers and has set physical qualification standards based on their cardiovascular disease status. Drivers must pass these standards and obtain a Department of Transportation (DOT) card, validating their fitness. Employers are recommended to collaborate with occupational health service providers certified by the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners (NRCME) to ensure their drivers’ safety.
A comprehensive DOT physical encompasses over a dozen tests to evaluate a commercial motor vehicle operator’s health, but cardiac health is given special emphasis. According to FMCSA’s guidelines, a driver is deemed physically fit to operate a commercial vehicle if they don’t suffer from medical conditions like myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, coronary insufficiency, thrombosis, and other cardiovascular diseases associated with syncope, dyspnea, collapse, or congestive cardiac failure. They must also have no clinical diagnosis of hypertension or rheumatic, arthritic, orthopedic, muscular, neuromuscular, or vascular diseases that could compromise their ability to control and operate a commercial vehicle safely.
## Conclusion
Commercial vehicle operators are uncelebrated heroes on whom we heavily rely for our daily necessities. Nonetheless, their jobs come with inherent health risks, particularly cardiovascular diseases. It becomes imperative that they meet the FMCSA’s stringent physical qualification standards to protect not only their health but also the safety of the general public.