Working Long Days Is Associated With a Significant Increase in Risk of Heart Disease

Working Overtime May Increase Your Chances of Developing a Heart Ailment

Putting in lots of overtime may increase your chances of developing a heart ailment. At this point, it’s not very clear whether long hours at the workplace are themselves the risk factor or they are the “markers” of other risk factors like work related stress, unhealthy eating habits and a sedentary lifestyle.

According to a study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, working regularly for long hours causes a significant increase in the chances of developing heart disease. The research done under the leadership of Mika Kivimaki of Britain’s University College, London, tracked 7,095 people over duration of 11 years and collected information about the various risk factors associated with heart disease like blood pressure, cholesterol, smoking and diabetes.

These risk factors are important to calculate the Framingham risk score for heart disease. The people were also inquired about the number of hours they put at work everyday and whether they also carried some work to home. The study found that while the majority of people worked for standard 7 to 8 h/day, around 10% toiled for more than 11 h/day increasing their likelihood of developing heart disease by more than 67%.

According to Kivimaki, adding the number of hours spent at s workplace to the Framingham risk score is a better way of identifying the people who have a potential risk of developing heart disease at a later stage of life.

People Clocking Up Extra Hours at Work Should Pay More Attention to the Other Risk Factors Associated With Heart Disease

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), heart attacks and strokes account for the maximum number of disease related deaths around the world. Around 1.7 million people succumb to them every year and billions of dollars are spent on their treatment.

People clocking up extra hours at work should pay more attention to the other risk factors associated with heart disease. They should exercise regularly, eat a healthy diet, quit smoking and try to keep their cholesterol, sugar and blood pressure under control.

Putting in long hours at work is becoming very common in developed countries. The relationship between job related stress and various diseases has been known for almost 300 years. Bernardo Ramazzini, a physician urged his colleagues to inquire about their patients’ occupation as far back as in 1713. About 15 years ago, Karasek and Theorell scientifically confirmed the relationship between job stress and development of cardiovascular diseases.

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The connection between long working hours and increased stress is well established. When you work beyond regular hours, the physical and emotional stress can increase, causing your body to release adrenaline, a hormone that increases your heart rate and blood pressure. If this state of "high alert" becomes chronic, it can lead to inflammation in your circulatory system and elevate your risk of heart disease. Furthermore, chronic stress often exacerbates other risk factors associated with heart disease.

People who work extended hours often find themselves sitting at a desk for most of the day, leading to a sedentary lifestyle. Lack of physical activity can contribute to weight gain, increased cholesterol levels, and high blood pressure, all of which are risk factors for heart disease. Regular exercise helps to improve cardiovascular health by strengthening the heart and reducing the risk of heart disease.

With long work hours, the convenience of fast food, takeout meals, or processed snacks can be tempting. However, these food choices often lack essential nutrients and are high in sodium, unhealthy fats, and sugars. Over time, this can lead to obesity, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure, which are all risk factors for heart disease.

Working long hours can also negatively affect your sleep. Lack of quality sleep or not getting enough sleep can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease by elevating blood pressure and causing inflammation. Moreover, insufficient sleep can lead to unhealthy behaviors such as overeating or reaching for high-energy, high-sugar foods for quick energy.

High-stress levels and long work hours may drive some individuals to cope in unhealthy ways. Behaviors like smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, or overeating increase the risk of heart disease. These habits can lead to increased blood pressure, higher levels of unhealthy cholesterol, and weight gain.

Lastly, the mental health aspect should not be overlooked. Chronic work stress can lead to mental health problems like anxiety and depression. Numerous studies have linked these mental health issues with a higher risk of heart disease. Depression and anxiety can lead to poor self-care habits, like neglecting a healthy diet or physical activity, which can further increase the risk of heart disease.

It would be a good idea if the physicians around the world make it a standard practice to question their patients about their working hours. It will help identifying the patients who are at an increased risk of developing heart disease and then they may be counseled for a healthier life style.