September 14, 2012
Work stress linked to heart disease risk
People who have highly demanding jobs and little freedom to
make decisions are 23% more likely to have a heart attack compared
with those without work stress, a study has suggested.
Researchers analysed job strain in employees
without coronary heart disease.
Participants completed questionnaires at the start of the studies
to assess job demands, excessive workload, the level of
time-pressure demands, and freedom to make
decisions.
Eating a balanced diet, taking regular exercise and quitting smoking will more than offset any risk associated with your job
Our
Medical Director, Professor Peter Weissberg, said: “We know that
being under stress at work, and being unable to change the
situation,
could increase your risk of developing
heart disease.
“This large study confirms this, but also
shows that the negative effect of workplace strain is much
smaller than, for example, the damage caused by smoking or lack of
exercise.
“Though stresses at work may be unavoidable,
how you deal with these pressures is important,
and lighting up a cigarette is bad news for your heart.
Eating a balanced diet, taking regular
exercise and quitting smoking will more than offset any risk
associated with your job.”
This study was published in The
Lancet.
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