People Who Work More Than Usual Per Week Might Risk Having a Stroke

A new analysis reveals the fact that people who work more than usual per week might risk having a stroke.

Scientists analyzed and monitored 603,838 men and women alike, across three continents – Europe, The United States and Australia, over a period of eight and a half years. Results were concise, and factors such as age, economic status and sex were taken into account.

To be more precise, the study, published in The Lancet, pointed out that people from the mentioned group who worked 55 hours or more each week displayed a 33 percent stroke risk, whereas a 13 percent chance of developing coronary heart disease, in comparison to their co-workers that engaged in approximately 40 hours of labor per week.

Mika Kivimäki, professor of epidemiology at University College London, said that their team examined available data concerning the link between cardiovascular disease and long working hours. They examined with great precision the association between these two issues.

The London-based researchers warned health experts of the negative effect working longer hours could have on the general public’s health who engaged in doing so.

Moreover, researchers conducted another series of studies as well, a total of 17. Furthermore, 528, 908 people were involved and monitored for 7 years and 2 months. The odds of experiencing a stroke or coronary heart disease increased by 1.3 times for those doing extra-hours, in comparison to their colleagues, who engaged in a healthy, standard-hour program.

The correlation remained unchanged, even after scientists took into consideration other health hazards, including smoking and alcohol consumption. They also took into account the subjects’ physical activity, but also, on a different level, risk factors such as high blood pressure and cholesterol.

Statistics showed that Turkey was the country with the most people working over 50 hours per week, whereas the Netherlands’ population’s proportion was the lowest.

A researcher from the Umea University in Sweden, Urban Janlert, explained that, for some people, working conditions couldn’t be actually modified (underground work, a toxic environment or unfavorable climate conditions), but that it was up to each and every one of us how much time we ought to cautiously dedicate to working each day.

The study would need further analysis, however, researchers finally pointed out that sedentary behavior and alcohol consumption could increase the risk of stroke altogether. Stress plays a negative key role as well.

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