A new study by the researchers has shed light on the significant impact of job strain and the psychological stress of high effort with little reward on the risk of coronary heart disease in men.
The study, published in the American Heart Association (AHA) journal Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes, reveals that men experiencing these combined stressors face double the risk of heart disease compared to those who do not.
This risk is similar to the impact of obesity on heart disease risk, highlighting the importance of addressing workplace stressors in preventing cardiovascular issues.
While previous research has individually linked job strain and high effort with low reward to heart disease risk, this study uniquely focuses on their combined effect. Job strain is characterized by work environments where employees face high job demands while having limited control over their work.
High demands encompass factors like heavy workloads, tight deadlines, and numerous responsibilities, while low control refers to employees having little say in decision-making and task performance.
The study’s lead author, Mathilde Lavigne-Robichaud, a doctoral candidate at CHU de Quebec-University Laval Research Center in Quebec, Canada, emphasized the significance of understanding these stressors.
She explained that high job demands and low control can create a challenging work environment, which is often associated with adverse health effects, including heart disease.
Strange Relationship Between Job Strain And Heart Disease
The study collected data from a diverse group of men aged 35 to 60 and followed their health outcomes over a 12-year period. Participants reported their job strain and effort-reward imbalance experiences, which researchers used to assess their cardiovascular health. The results revealed a strong correlation between these psychological stressors and heart disease risk.
Participants who reported both high job strain and high effort with low reward had twice the risk of developing heart disease compared to those who did not experience these stressors. This finding underscores the importance of addressing workplace-related stressors as a part of heart disease prevention efforts.
The impact of these stressors on heart health is comparable to that of obesity, a well-established risk factor for cardiovascular issues. This study emphasizes that psychological stressors in the workplace should be taken seriously and addressed to promote heart health and overall well-being in men.
The research also highlights the need for employers to create work environments that prioritize employee well-being.
Reducing job strain and addressing issues related to high effort and low reward can have a positive impact on both employee health and workplace productivity. It is essential for employers to recognize the potential health consequences of workplace stressors and take steps to mitigate them.
In conclusion, this study offers valuable insights into the connection between job strain, high effort with low reward, and heart disease risk in men.
By identifying these psychological stressors as significant contributors to heart health issues, the research underscores the importance of addressing workplace-related stress to prevent heart disease and promote overall health and well-being.