Psychosocial work factors associated to blood pressure and cardiovascular symptoms among Mexican nurses.

Objective. To determine if job stress, according with Karasek's model, and job insecurity are significantly associated with cardiovascular indicators such as blood pressure (BP) and cardiovascular symptoms (CS), considering traditional risk factors for cardiovascular disease (age, body mass index, smoking, alcohol consumption, among others). Material and Methods. A job content questionnaire (JCQ) and one for cardiovascular symptoms were administered to a sample of 109 nurses from a public hospital in Mexico City during July 2004.A digital monitor was utilized to measure BP at the workplace using a point estimates protocol. Results.A significant association among these variables was found (beta between.20 and.24), even when traditional cardiovascular risk factors were considered. Conclusions.The relation between job stress and BP is significant in the Mexican population and highlights the association between job insecurity and cardiovascular indicators, indicating its importance in the Mexican work context. Future studies are suggested, as well as the prevention and surveillance of these factors in occupational and public health fields in terms of their role in cardiovascular epidemiology.