Managing heart and circulatory conditions in the workplace
What are heart and circulatory conditions?
Heart and circulatory conditions (also called cardiovascular disease or CVD) affect your heart and blood vessels.
Some conditions are:
- heart attack
- heart failure
- coronary heart disease
- atrial fibrillation
These conditions can cause symptoms.
You might:
- feel short of breath
- cough
- feel very tired
- notice swelling
- feel dizzy
- feel worried or sad
Symptoms can be different for everyone and may come and go. They can be worse at some times more than others. It is okay if you need support.
Working with a heart and circulatory condition
Everyone’s experience with a heart and circulatory condition is different. If you are in work, or are returning to work, the right support from your employer can help. Your employer can make changes at work (called reasonable adjustments). These will help make things easier for you. Usual everyday life is important but don’t rush. Do things when you are ready.
What does the law say?
You have the right to reasonable adjustments at work under the Equality Act. The Equality Act 2010 protects people with disabilities. It says employers must make reasonable adjustments to help you work.
You are considered disabled under the law if your symptoms make daily tasks harder for at least 12 months and this has a big effect on your life. An example would be if it takes you much longer to get dressed since your heart and circulatory condition.
Getting support at work
Be open and honest about how your symptoms affect you. Think about both your good and bad days. This will improve your manager’s understanding of your heart and circulatory condition, and they’ll be able to support you better.
Make a return-to-work plan with your employer. This could include starting with fewer hours and making changes to your job. Write down your plan so you can review it later.
Have regular meetings with your manager to talk about how things are going.
Helpful changes at work
You may need to agree these with your manager, but here are some ideas that might make work easier:
If you feel very tired (fatigue):
- return to work on fewer hours and build up slowly
- take rest breaks
- change your work tasks for a while
- work flexibly – maybe start later or work from home
If you have breathing problems:
- change how you do tasks – you may be able to sit down or work with others
- make your commute easier – park closer or reduce walking
- if your job needs lots of talking, try to limit this or use other ways to communicate
- give yourself extra time to finish tasks
If you have physical symptoms (like chest pain or swelling):
- adjust your workspace – new equipment might help
- reduce walking - work on the ground floor or near the toilets
- change your duties if some are too hard
- sit down when you can or work with others on physical tasks
- keep any medicines you need nearby
If you feel low or anxious:
- have regular check-ins with your manager to talk about how you feel
- take short breaks in a quiet place
- do what you need to do to help your mood
If you have medical appointments:
- if you can choose the appointment time, try to fit it in around your work
- if you cannot choose the appointment time and it’s in work time, tell your manager – where possible they should let you go
Absence triggers may be changed to help support with your condition. Talk to your manager about this. They may ask Occupational Health for advice.
Useful information
British Heart Foundation has advice and resources to help you live well with heart and circulatory disease. This includes tips for daily life, work and emotional support. bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/support/practical-support
Acas gives free, confidential advice on your rights at work. They can help with returning to work, reasonable adjustments and talking to your employer. acas.org.uk
Access to Work can provide grants and practical help if your health affects your job. This might include equipment, travel support or a workplace assistant. gov.uk/access-to-work
This activity is part of Healthy Working Life, a joint programme of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board.