Work-related stress may cause irregular heartbeat, study finds
A new study reveals that work-related stress may increase the risk of atrial fibrillation, also known as AFib.
Researchers at Hospital Research Center of Quebec University in Quebec City, Canada examined medical database records for nearly 6,000 adults in white-collar jobs in Canada, with 18 years of follow-up data.
They studied the impact of job strain, which refers to a work environment in which employees face high job demands, such as a heavy workload and tight deadlines, and low control over their work with little say in decision-making and how they execute their tasks, according the study, published last week in the journal the American Heart Association.
Another factor assessed in the study was the effort-reward imbalance. This occurs when employees invest significant effort into their work but perceive the rewards they get in return — such as salary, recognition or job security — as insufficient or unequal to their performance.
FILE: A man appearing stressed out at his work desk. (Credit: American Heart Association)
The study found that employees who said they experienced high job strain had an 83% higher risk of developing AFib compared to workers unaffected by the stressors. Meanwhile, those who perceived an effort-reward imbalance had a 44% greater risk, compared to workers who did not report this imbalance.
Combined perceptions of high job strain and effort-reward imbalance were associated with a 97% increased risk of AFib.
"Our study suggests that work-related stressors may be relevant factors to include in preventive strategies," Xavier Trudel an occupational and cardiovascular epidemiologist and researcher of this study, said in a statement. "Recognizing and addressing psychosocial stressors at work are required to foster healthy work environments that benefit both individuals and the organizations where they work."
AFib is the most common form of arrhythmia – an abnormal heart rhythm. It can lead to stroke, heart failure or other cardiovascular complications.
More than 12 million people are projected to have AFib in the United States by 2030, according to the American Heart Association’s 2024 heart disease and stroke statistics.
"The effectiveness of workplace interventions to reduce psychosocial stressors that may also reduce the risk of AFib should be investigated in future research efforts," Trudel said. "Our research team previously conducted an organizational intervention designed to reduce psychosocial stressors at work, which was shown to effectively reduce blood pressure levels. Examples of organizational 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."
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Previous research linked high job strain and effort-reward imbalance at work with an increased risk of coronary heart disease.
Last year, a study led by a team at the University of Aberdeen Business School and the Institute of Applied Health Sciences in Scotland, learned that employees who receiving performance-related pay were more vulnerable to chronic stress, heart disease, high blood pressure, mental health issues, and a higher risk of substance abuse.