People with work stress may increase their risk of heart disease
People with stressful jobs and unhealthy lifestyles are at higher risk of developing heart disease than those who have stressful jobs but lead more healthy lifestyles.
These findings come from work published by researchers at the University College of London’s Department of Epidemiology and Public Health.
Commenting on the research, Dr Catherine Hood from the Simplyhealth Advisory Research Panel (ShARP) notes: “This latest research adds to the growing body of evidence that stress at work is associated with an increased risk in coronary artery disease. The aim of this latest study was to find out whether a healthy lifestyle can help reduce the effects of job stress on coronary artery disease. The researchers looked at seven cohort studies from a large European initiative that included 102,128 people who were disease-free during the 15-year study period (1985–2000). Participants ranged in age from 17–70 (mean 44.3) years and came from the United Kingdom, France, Belgium, Sweden and Finland. More than half were women.
“Of the total participants, 16% reported job stress, which was determined from specific job related questions in the studies. The investigators defined three lifestyle categories; smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity or inactivity and obesity (body mass index).
“A "healthy lifestyle" had no lifestyle risk factors, "moderately unhealthy lifestyle" had one risk factor and "unhealthy lifestyle" included 2–4 lifestyle risk factors. A total of 1,086 participants had coronary artery disease events during the follow-up period.
“The 10 year incidence of coronary artery disease was 18.4 per 1,000 people for people with job strain and 14.7 per 1,000 for those without job strain.
“People with an unhealthy lifestyle had a significantly higher 10 year incidence rate (30.6 per 1,000) compared to those with a healthy lifestyle (12.0 per 1,000). The incidence rate was 31.2 per 1,000 for participants with job strain and an unhealthy lifestyle but only 14.7 per 1,000 for those with job strain and a healthy lifestyle.
“This new data clearly shows the risk of coronary artery disease was highest among study respondents who reported job strain and an unhealthy lifestyle. Those with job strain and a healthy lifestyle had about half the rate of disease.
“Hence, the findings of this study suggest a healthy lifestyle could help significantly reduce the risk of coronary artery disease risk among people with job strain. This is a really important message, not only for individuals who have stressful jobs, but also for their healthcare providers who might consider paying closer attention to lifestyle risk factors in patients who report stress at work.
“So, if you have a stressful job and lead an unhealthy lifestyle try to address your health now. If you smoke, look at ways in which you can stop. There are many smoking cessation programmes on offer, so speak to your GP or pharmacist who can help. In addition, make sure you eat a healthy, balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals so don’t forget those five portions of fruit and vegetables a day. Also keep an eye on how much alcohol you consume. While your favourite ‘tipple’ may help you relax after a stressful day at work, it’s very easy to clock up more than your recommended number of alcohol units each week if you are having several large glasses of wine every night! Alcohol is also high in sugar so it will add pounds to your waistline too.
“Last but not least, make sure you stay active; try to exercise every day. You don’t necessarily need to hit the gym or take up running; A brisk walk every day for 20 minutes, swimming, dancing or even house work can all help to keep you active. Choose an activity that you have time for and that you like.”
Tagged in Heart Health Stress Healthy Body Heart Health