Individuals who regularly feel stressed at work are 83% more at risk of developing atrial fibrillation compared to those with a less stressful job, a new study has suggested.
Latest evidence has revealed that people who feel undervalued at work are also 44% more at risk of developing the serious irregular heart rhythm condition.
During the study, the team of scientists looked at the health records of more than 5,926 people who worked in an office in Canada.
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Lead author Dr Xavier Trudel said: “Our study suggests that work-related stressors may be relevant factors to include in preventive strategies.
“Recognising and addressing psychosocial stressors at work are required to foster healthy work environments that benefit both individuals and the organisations where they work.”
This is first study to assess the adverse effect of both stress and under-appreciation at work on atrial fibrillation – a heart condition that causes an irregular and often abnormally fast heart rate.
Approximately 1.5 million individuals in the UK have been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, and a further 270,000 people are thought to be living with the condition undiagnosed.
Prior studies have revealed that coronary heart disease can also be triggered by work stress and feeling undervalued in the workplace.
People are more likely to feel stressed if they have a heavy workload and tight deadlines, the study has reported.
A total of 186 people from the study went on to develop atrial fibrillation, the results have revealed.
Roughly one-third of the participants who developed atrial fibrillation already had coronary heart disease or heart failure.
Flexible working hours and daily meetings to discuss challenges were found to reduce people’s blood pressure levels.
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Dr Trudel said: “The effectiveness of workplace interventions to reduce psychosocial stressors that may also reduce the risk of atrial fibrillation should be investigated in future research efforts.
“Our research team previously conducted an organisational intervention designed to reduce psychosocial stressors at work, which was shown to effectively reduce blood pressure levels.”
Dr Trudel added: “Examples of organisational changes implemented during the intervention included slowing down the implementation of a large project to prevent increased workload, implementing flexible work hours and holding meetings between managers and employees to discuss day-to-day challenges.”
Read the full study in the Journal of the American Heart Association.
