To investigate the prevalence and related factors of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and psychological problems in Chinese science and technology workers.

The investigation was organized and conducted by the Innovative and Development Institute of China Association of Senior Scientists and Technologists and Capital Medical University Affiliated Beijing Anzhen Hospital, and included science and technology workers from research institutions and medical institutions in China by random sampling methods through face-to-face and online questionnaire investigation from July 1, 2019 to March 31, 2021. Information including age, sex, work stress status, CVD history, sleep, depression, and anxiety were included in the questionnaire.

This survey included 14 552 subjects. Among them, 25.5% were suffered from CVD, 48.6% were with insomnia, 28.8% experienced depression/anxiety (including only depression, only anxiety, depression combined with anxiety), and 15.6% had CVD in combined with depression/anxiety. Taking those without CVD and depression/anxiety as reference group, multiple logistic regression analyses showed that work stress increased the risk of depression/anxiety in subjects without CVD (manageable work stress, OR=2.253, 95%CI 1.583-3.206, overwhelming work stress OR=7.899, 95%CI 5.094-12.250), and drinking increased the risk of CVD (OR=1.978, 95%CI 1.382-2.833). Moreover, overwhelming work stress (OR=4.012, 95%CI 2.515-6.399) and smoking (OR=2.342, 95%CI 1.603-3.421) increased the risk of depression/anxiety in subjects with CVD (all P<0.001).

The high morbidities of depression/anxiety, CVD, and CVD in combination with depression/anxiety urge us to take actions to protect the heart and mental health of scientific and technological workers.

Cardiovascular disease; Depression; Anxiety; Scientists and technicians