Job Strain and Heart Health

Women with high job strain may have an increased risk of heart disease, researchers reported at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2010.

Job strain was defined as having a stressful job, but having little-to-no decision-making authority or opportunity to use one’s creative skills.

In situations of stress, there is increased activity of the sympathetic nervous system, which leads to the "fight or flight" response. Physiological changes include increased heart rate, blood pressure, breathing rate and blood supply to the muscles, as well as dilated pupils. It has been proposed that frequent stressful situations may lead to negative health effects, such as high blood pressure, increased cholesterol levels, gastrointestinal distress and a weakened immune system.

In the recent study, which was funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), researchers analyzed data from 17,415 healthy women who participated in the landmark Women’s Health Study. Most participants were Caucasian, and their average age was 57. The women answered questions about their job strain and job security. They were followed for more than 10 years and monitored for the development of heart disease.

The researchers found that women who reported high levels of job strain had a 40 percent increased risk of heart disease, including heart attacks, ischemic strokes, coronary artery bypass surgery or balloon angioplasty and death. When looking at specific heart problems, the researchers found that high job strain was linked to an 88 percent increased risk of heart attack and a 43 percent increased risk of having bypass surgery or another invasive heart procedure.

The researchers also found that job insecurity may also be linked to heart disease risk factors, such as high blood pressure, increased body weight and high cholesterol.

For more information about work-life balance, please visit Natural Standard’s Health & Wellness database.

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