Summary
- Research shows that high stress at work can increase the risk of developing a serious heart condition known as atrial fibrillation.
- Workers with high job strain faced a 97 per cent increased risk, while those with inadequate rewards faced a 44 per cent increased risk.
- Atrial fibrillation can lead to potentially deadly heart failure, strokes, and other cardiovascular complications.
- Symptoms of atrial fibrillation include dizziness, shortness of breath, tiredness, and heart palpitations.
- Implementing workplace interventions, like flexible hours and discussions about daily challenges, may help reduce the risk of developing atrial fibrillation related to job stress.
High levels of stress at work have been found to be linked to a serious heart condition called atrial fibrillation, according to a recent study. Researchers discovered that individuals in high-stress jobs with low rewards faced a 97% increased risk of developing atrial fibrillation.
Atrial fibrillation, also known as AFib, is a heart condition that causes irregular heart rhythm and can lead to serious complications if left untreated, such as heart failure or stroke. It affects more than 1.5 million people in the UK, with many more undiagnosed.
The study, which looked at nearly 6,000 office workers in Canada, found that high job strain alone increased the risk of atrial fibrillation by 83%, while low rewards for hard work raised the risk by 44%. Effort-reward imbalance at work has previously been linked to coronary heart disease.
The researchers emphasized the importance of addressing work-related stressors to create healthier work environments. Strategies such as implementing flexible work hours and discussing daily challenges in meetings have been shown to reduce stress levels and potentially lower the risk of atrial fibrillation.
While the study focused on white-collar Canadian workers, the results may not necessarily apply to other types of workers or different countries. Future research is needed to explore the effectiveness of workplace interventions in reducing the risk of atrial fibrillation.
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Psychiatry & Mental Health, Public Health & Prevention, Internal Medicine