Travel and transportation workers feel they’re putting their heart health at risk due to the pressures of their job, according to a new survey by the British Heart Foundation (BHF).

The survey shows that people feel their stressful working life is leading to them eating a poor diet, not doing enough exercise and drinking and smoking more than they otherwise would.

The charity is now calling for employers to encourage their workforce to spend at least 10 minutes a day improving their lifestyle for the remainder of Heart Month (February).

The BHF survey found almost half (47%) of travel and transportation employees feel their job has had a negative impact on their health in the last five years, with more than two fifths (42%) saying their general stress levels have increased in the same time period due to their work.

When asked how their work has ever affected their health:

  • More than a quarter (27%) of travel or transportation workers say they think they have put on weight, with almost two fifths (38%) saying their job has driven them to eat more unhealthily
  • Over two fifths (43%) say their work has caused them to exercise less than they would like
  • Almost a third (31%) say their job has led to them to drink more alcohol and one in ten (11%) say it’s been a trigger for smoking more

The survey also showed almost three fifths (57%) of employees in these sectors regularly do unpaid overtime, with a fifth (20%) working more than five hours overtime a week.

The pressures of work are leaving people concerned about their long-term health with over a quarter (27%) fearing it could lead to a heart attack or heart condition.

This month, the BHF is encouraging employers to join its Health at Work programme and run the 10 Minute Heart Month Challenge, starting this week.

Obesity, lack of physical activity and smoking all increase the risk of coronary heart disease – the nation’s single biggest killer.

But the BHF says that employers encouraging their workforce to take as little as 10 minutes every day to improve their health at work can lead to significant benefits in employee heart health and productivity.

Productivity loss as a result of heart and circulatory conditions is estimated to cost businesses £8billion a year.

However research shows of the vast majority of companies (82%) with employee wellness programmes see reduced sickness absence and a 15% increase in output.

Lisa Young, project manager for the BHF’s Health at Work programme, said: “This survey is a stark reminder of just what happens when we don’t take our health at work seriously enough.

“Millions of people say they are smoking more, exercising less and putting on weight because they’re not considering the impact their job is having on their health and wellbeing.

“Behaviours like these can be extremely damaging, not just to your heart health but also to businesses. From working with over with 9,500 organisations we know that the payoffs of making health at work a top businesses priority are too great to ignore.

“Small steps can make a big difference to your health. This Heart Month we’re working with organisations across the UK to encourage employees to take 10 minutes every day to make positive changes which could have a life-long benefit to their health.”

The BHF’s Health at Work programme offers free expert advice to employers to help improve the health and productivity of their workforce.

More than 9,500 organisations have already benefitted, helping their workers get active, eat well and reduce their stress.

By signing-up to the Heart Month Challenge, businesses get free resources and support to challenge their workforce to make one small improvement to their lifestyle for 10 days during Heart Month.

To sign up for the British Heart Foundation’s Health at Work 10 Minute Challenge, click here.