2024-09-13 15:48:30
(Montreal) Psychosocial stress factors at work could double the risk of suffering from atrial fibrillation, the most common form of cardiac arrhythmia, according to research carried out at Laval University.
Published yesterday at 11:48 am
Jean-Benoit Legault The Canadian Press
“A risk that is almost doubled over a follow-up of nearly twenty years is really big,” said one of the study’s authors, researcher Mathilde Lavigne-Robichaud. “It tells us that there is an impact of the psychosocial environment at work on cardiovascular health, and it is really an early indicator of disease in the causal chain of cardiovascular diseases.”
Lavigne-Robichaud and her colleagues followed an average of 5,900 white-collar workers, almost 50/50 male and female, for 18 years. Workplace stress—for example, intense (and sometimes conflicting) demands, tight deadlines, and low decision-making power—was measured using a variety of validated tools.
The authors also controlled their results for socioeconomic characteristics, lifestyle, and various clinical risk factors of their participants.
“We really put a lot of methodological effort into this study to get as close as possible to a causal relationship,” said Ms. Lavigne-Robichaud. “So once we controlled for all these factors, we realize that it’s really the relationship between psychosocial stressors at work and atrial fibrillation that is explained.”
The researchers recorded 186 cases of atrial fibrillation among their subjects during the study period, including 51 that occurred before retirement.
The analysis found that employees who reported experiencing high job pressure had an 83% higher risk of developing atrial fibrillation compared with workers unaffected by stressors; those who perceived an effort-reward imbalance had a 44% higher risk than workers who did not report this imbalance; and the combined perceptions of high job stress and an effort-reward imbalance were associated with a 97% increased risk of atrial fibrillation.
“The precise mechanisms by which psychosocial stressors at work increase the risk of [fibrillation auriculaire] are not well understood,” the authors write in the Journal of the American Heart Association.
However, they continue, “certain pathophysiological mechanisms can directly or indirectly predispose or trigger” atrial fibrillation. For example, it has been shown that exposure to psychosocial stressors at work can predispose to the development of common clinical conditions associated with atrial fibrillation, such as hypertension, diabetes and arterial stiffness.
Furthermore, the autonomic nervous system may play a more direct role in the initiation and maintenance of atrial fibrillation, since bursts of sympathetic and parasympathetic activity have been associated with the onset of atrial fibrillation.
“It’s really more at the biological level,” said Ms. Lavigne-Robichaud. “Psychosocial stressors at work will increase the secretion of hormones that will, for example, increase contraction or rhythm, the heart rate, and over a long period of time, the deleterious effect will manifest itself.”
Previous studies have linked exposure to job stress and an imbalance between effort and reward to a higher risk of coronary heart disease. However, this study is the first to specifically look at an association with atrial fibrillation.
These results, says Ms. Lavigne-Robichaud, are a reminder that it is important for both employees and employers to address stress factors in the workplace, especially since the harmful effects may not be felt until 20 or 30 years later.
“If you start working in your twenties until you’re around 60, you understand that you’re talking about very prolonged exposure, not one-off exposure,” she said in conclusion. “And when you add up all these little stressors that you encounter in the workplace, that’s when the impact is really very harmful and you end up with double the risks.”
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Factors. Here are some questions that might arise from the findings of this study:
Table of Contents
- 1 Factors. Here are some questions that might arise from the findings of this study:
- 2 And healthcare providers. By recognizing the hidden dangers of workplace stress and implementing effective strategies to mitigate its effects, we can help protect cardiovascular health and improve overall well-being for employees.
Workplace Stress Doubles the Risk of Atrial Fibrillation, Study Finds
Are you feeling overwhelmed and stressed at work? You’re not alone. Millions of people around the world struggle with workplace stress, but did you know that it could be putting your heart health at risk? A recent study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association has found that psychosocial stress factors at work could double the risk of suffering from atrial fibrillation, the most common form of cardiac arrhythmia.
The Study
Researchers at Laval University in Canada followed nearly 5,900 white-collar workers for 18 years, measuring their workplace stress levels using validated tools. They controlled for socioeconomic characteristics, lifestyle, and various clinical
The Hidden Dangers of Workplace Stress: How Psychosocial Factors Can Double the Risk of Atrial Fibrillation
Workplace stress is a common phenomenon that affects millions of people around the world. While it is widely acknowledged that stress can have negative impacts on mental and emotional well-being, new research suggests that it can also have serious consequences for cardiovascular health. A recent study conducted by researchers at Laval University in Quebec, Canada, has found that psychosocial stress factors at work can double the risk of suffering from atrial fibrillation, the most common form of cardiac arrhythmia.
The Study’s Findings
The study, which followed nearly 6,000 white-collar workers over a period of 18 years, found that employees who experienced high levels of psychosocial stress at work were significantly more likely to develop atrial fibrillation. In fact, the researchers found that the risk of developing the condition was almost doubled for those who reported high levels of job pressure, tight deadlines, and low decision-making power. The study’s authors controlled for a range of socioeconomic, lifestyle, and clinical risk factors, including age, sex, education level, smoking, and high blood pressure, to ensure that the results were not influenced by other factors.
The Impact of Workplace Stress on Cardiovascular Health
According to the study’s lead author, Mathilde Lavigne-Robichaud, the findings suggest that the psychosocial environment at work has a significant impact on cardiovascular health. “A risk that is almost doubled over a follow-up of nearly twenty years is really big,” she said. “It tells us that there is an impact of the psychosocial environment at work on cardiovascular health, and it is really an early indicator of disease in the causal chain of cardiovascular diseases.”
The Consequences of Atrial Fibrillation
Atrial fibrillation, also known as AFib, is a type of cardiac arrhythmia that occurs when the heart’s upper chambers (atria) contract irregularly. It is a serious condition that can increase the risk of stroke, heart failure, and even death. AFib is often asymptomatic, but it can cause symptoms such as palpitations, shortness of breath, and fatigue. The condition affects millions of people worldwide, and its prevalence is expected to increase as the population ages.
The Importance of Managing Workplace Stress
The study’s findings highlight the importance of managing workplace stress and promoting a healthy work environment. Employers can take steps to reduce stress by providing training on stress management, promoting work-life balance, and encouraging open communication and feedback. Employees can also take steps to manage their own stress levels by prioritizing self-care, taking regular breaks, and seeking support from colleagues and managers.
Conclusion
The link between workplace stress and atrial fibrillation is a serious concern that requires attention from employers, policymakers,
