This job's a killer—really

High job stress more than doubles the risk of cardiovascular death, according to a 28-year investigation at the University of Helsinki that followed 812 factory employees ranging from semiskilled to top management.

Researchers found that those with demanding jobs which offered little control were 2.2 times more likely to die from heart disease than people in low-strain positions. Subjects with a substantial "effort-reward imbalance"--defined as work in which the demands outweigh the rewards of money, opportunity, security or status--had a risk of cardiovascular death that was 2.4 times higher. The strongest link was found in those doing the same job for five years or more.

Elevated work stress was also a predictor for increased cholesterol and a greater body mass index, excluding risk factors such as age, smoking and lack of exercise. By itself, work intensity was not found to be harmful.

The report was published in the British Medical Journal, which suggests adding "efforts to change work life" to traditional diet, exercise and anti-smoking advice when promoting cardiovascular health.

COPYRIGHT 2003 Weider Publications
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