Truck Drivers - How Eating Healthy Can Prevent Heart Disease

Obesity is a threat to health and longevity and is a serious problem among truck drivers

. Obesity is a major factor in developing heart disease. Hundreds of deaths have resulted from drivers blacking out, collapsing or having a heart attack while behind the wheel of a heavy truck. Thousands of people have been injured as a result of accidents caused by truck drivers. Physical impairment of the truck driver is a major cause of crashes with heart attacks being one of the major causes of truck driver accidents.

Weve all read headlines about truck drivers dying of heart attacks while behind the wheel.

In one case a trucker suffering with chest pains while driving a tractor/trailer managed to pull his vehicle to the side of a road before dying of a massive heart attack. When first responders arrived at the scene he had no pulse nor was he breathing. Unable to revive him he was pronounced dead at the scene. Another accident involved a truck driver who killed four people after his gasoline tanker plunged from an overpass and exploded in flames on an interstate highway. Investigators concluded the driver had suffered a heart attack.

There are several types of heart disease. However, the most common type of heart disease is coronary artery disease (CAD) which can cause heart attacks, angina, heart failure, and arrhythmias. A heart attack occurs when the blood flow that brings oxygen to the heart muscle is severely reduced or completely cut off. A buildup plaque consisting of fat, cholesterol and other substances cause the coronary arteries that supply the heart with blood can over time become thicker and harder from this buildup. A blood clot can form around the plaque, block the artery and shut off blood flow to the heart muscle. This is what can eventually lead to a heart attack.

Truck drivers can control their risk of having heart attacks through the foods they choose to eat. Diet plays a major part in heart health so drivers can choose to eat healthy foods. Avoid eating refined foods such as white bread, cakes, cookies and other products made with white flour. Eat brown rice and foods made with whole wheat flour when possible. Avoid drinking tons of coffee and soft drinks sweetened with high fructose corn. Choose unsweetened tea and water for your beverages. Avoid fast food fare at truckstops such as burgers, french fries, potato chips, corn chips, etc. Avoid eating meats drenched in gravy. Baked fish or chicken are suitable options. Also eat fresh fruits and vegetables including plenty of salads in your diet. Cooked vegetables should be steamed to preserve nutrients and reduce calories.

Also, dont rely solely on truckstop food to meet all of your dietary needs. Buy foods that promote heart health. Shop big box stores when possible to buy foods such as raw nuts, pumpkin or sunflower seeds not the fried, salted varieties. Dried fruits and granola bars are good snack choices. Also, if you have a cooler or small refrigerator in the truck you will have more options such as being able to buy fresh fruits, vegetables, salads, etc. Eating healthy foods will enable you to have a healthy heart and go a long way towards preventing you from developing CAD thereby limiting the possibility of you having a heart attack.

by: Annalee Chambers

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