This study aimed to examine the employment status of patients who have experienced ischemic heart disease one year after undergoing cardiac rehabilitation. For this, a quasi-experimental pre-post study without a control group of active workers aged 18 to 65 years diagnosed with ischemic heart disease and included in a cardiac rehabilitation programme was conducted. Sociodemographic and occupational data, cardiovascular risk factors and clinical-therapeutic data on heart disease were collected. A total of 214 patients were included, of which 115 patients returned to work. Several clinical factors contributing to return to work were identified: preserved left-ventricular ejection fraction (≥55%), < 3 obstructed coronary vessels, and stent revascularisation. Socio-occupational factors that may positively influence return to work were identified: age < 50 years, absence of anxious-depressive symptoms, higher level of education, and occupations with low physical strain. Cardiac rehabilitation is effective in improving cardiac function and health-related quality of life in workers with ischemic heart disease. Return to work and duration of temporary incapacity were associated with clinical-therapeutic variables and psycho-socio-occupational factors, such as type of job, physical strain, anxiety and depression, and age of the worker.

Cardiac rehabilitation programs (CRPs) are multifactorial interventions defined by the World Health Organization as essential strategies to improve patients’ health-related quality of life (HRQoL) by enhancing their physical, psychological, social, and occupational well-being. These programs are a cornerstone in the comprehensive treatment of heart disease, facilitating the recovery of functional capacity and reintegration into the workforce through a multidisciplinary approach. The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy of CRPs in enhancing functional capacity (cardiac and psychological) and HRQoL in workers with ischemic heart disease. An observational pre-post study without a control group was conducted, focusing on actively employed individuals with ischemic heart disease. A total of 214 patients were included, selected according to specific inclusion criteria after excluding those not suitable for longitudinal follow-up. Participants were active workers aged 18 to 65 years who were prescribed a CRP between January 2020 and December 2021. Sociodemographic, occupational, cardiovascular risk, and clinical-therapeutic data were collected to evaluate changes following completion of the program. Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) was also assessed. A total of 214 patients were included, 83.9% male, with a mean age of 54.21 years. Most had a history of hypertension, dyslipidemia, smoking, low physical activity, overweight or obesity, and a family history of ischemic heart disease. Among those who started the program (94.4%), the most common diagnosis was acute myocardial infarction involving a single coronary vessel. Additionally, 77.1% underwent stent angioplasty, and 47.2% participated in a moderate-risk CRP. After completion, the SF-36 score improved significantly (46.92 vs 70.21), and depressive symptoms decreased (55.10% vs 38.22%). Significant benefits were observed in most modifiable cardiovascular risk factors, along with an increase in the proportion of patients with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (65.4% vs 72%) and in metabolic equivalent (MET) levels. In 157 participants (73.4%), MET gain was quantified, with a mean increase of 2.67 ± 1.64 METs. These findings suggest that cardiac rehabilitation, as a secondary prevention strategy, effectively improves cardiac function and HRQoL in working-age patients with ischemic heart disease.

Mental disorders are a leading cause of morbidity worldwide, and healthcare professionals are particularly vulnerable due to occupational stressors, a vulnerability intensified during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. This study assessed the prevalence of mental health disorders among hospital workers and examined changes in their perceived mental health during the pandemic. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with 215 employees attending the Health Surveillance Service of Virgen Macarena University Hospital (Seville) between January 2019 and December 2022. Data were collected from occupational health records and a telephone survey, including the General Health Questionnaire (12 items) questionnaire. The prevalence of diagnosed mental health disorders was 7.0%, with mixed anxiety-depressive disorder being the most frequent. Most affected workers required short-term temporary incapacity due to common contingencies, and 36.7% required job adaptations, mainly involving task modifications. During the pandemic, 68.1% of workers reported a perceived worsening in mental health, which was more common among alcohol users. Among those receiving treatment, 70.8% required medication adjustments, and 31.2% reported increased analgesic use. Although prevalence rates were lower than expected, likely due to underdiagnosis and prioritization of coronavirus disease 2019-sensitive evaluations, the profile of affected workers was consistent with previous literature, predominantly women around 50 years old, often Assistant Nursing Care Technicians. These findings highlight the crucial role of occupational health services in early detection, monitoring, and support of healthcare professionals. Identification of alcohol use, psychiatric medication adjustments, and increased analgesic intake as risk factors emphasize the need for proactive interventions to sustain the healthcare workforce.