Professional structure and cardiovascular diseases: A case study of patients at the Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases of Vojvodina

The professional structure of the population plays a significant role in the development of cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this study was to analyse the occupational structure of patients treated at the Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases of Vojvodina (ICDV) in Sremska Kamenica in order to determine which occupational groups are more frequently represented among cardiovascular patients. Emerging Hot Spot Analysis was used to identify spatial and temporal patterns. The analysis was applied to the five most represented occupations. In the occupation category “housewives”, 17 municipalities were classified as consecutive hotspots. In the category “workers without a specified occupation”, a total of 35 municipalities were classified as emerging hotspots, of which 31 were consecutive and 4 spo-radic. In the group “metal, machinery, and related workers”, 23 municipalities were classified as emerging hotspots, including 16 consecutive and 7 sporadic hotspots. For the occupation category “other craftsmen and related workers”, 29 municipalities were identified as emerging hotspots, of which 20 were consecutive and 9 sporadic. In the category “clerical workers”, 24 municipalities were classified as emerging hotspots, including 18 consecutive and 6 sporadic hotspots. The obtained results may serve as a basis for identifying occupations associated with increased risk. This could enable timely planning and implementation of preventive measures, improvement of working conditions, and strengthening of healthcare protection for employees in particularly vulnerable occupational groups.