A recent study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, which is peer-reviewed and open-access, has uncovered that work-related stress due to job strain and a perceived imbalance between effort and rewards could significantly elevate the risk of developing atrial fibrillation (AFib). AFib, known as the most common type of arrhythmia, carries severe risks such as stroke, heart failure, and other cardiovascular complications. According to statistics from the American Heart Association, the number of Americans affected by AFib is projected to surpass 12 million by 2030.
The pioneering research was spearheaded by Xavier Trudel, PhD, an occupational and cardiovascular epidemiologist and an associate professor at Laval University in Quebec. It focuses on the effects of job strain and effort-reward imbalance on the occurrence of atrial fibrillation. Job strain is characterised by high-demand work environments where employees are burdened with heavy workloads and tight deadlines but have minimal control over their work or decision-making processes. On the other hand, effort-reward imbalance arises when the rewards, such as salary, recognition, or job security, are perceived to be insufficient compared to the effort put in.
The study encompassed nearly 6,000 white-collar workers in Canada and spanned an 18-year follow-up period. The results revealed a stark increase in the risk of developing AFib linked to these work-related stressors. Employees experiencing high job strain were found to have an 83% higher risk of developing AFib, those who perceived an effort-reward imbalance had a 44% greater risk, and individuals subjected to both stressors faced a 97% increased risk.
These findings carry profound implications, suggesting that preventive strategies should address psychosocial stressors in the workplace to create healthier working environments that benefit both the employees and the organisations. Dr Trudel emphasised the potential of workplace interventions to mitigate these stressors, potentially reducing the risk of AFib. His team has demonstrated the effectiveness of organisational interventions that reduced blood pressure by altering work conditions, such as decelerating project timelines, implementing flexible working hours, and encouraging open discussions between managers and employees.
However, the study’s limitation to white-collar workers in managerial, professional, and office roles within Canada restricts the generalisability of its findings. The specific work contexts and demographics may not accurately represent the experiences of blue-collar workers or those in different geographic areas.
This research underscores the importance of investigating how workplace stress impacts heart health across different types of employment and populations. Future studies could broaden the scope to include a more comprehensive array of workers and work environments, thereby enhancing our understanding of the link between occupational stress and cardiovascular disease and informing more effective public health policies and workplace practices.
More information: Edwige Tiwa Diffo et al, Psychosocial Stressors at Work and Atrial Fibrillation Incidence: An 18‐Year Prospective Study, Journal of the American Heart Association. DOI: 10.1161/JAHA.123.032414
Journal information: Journal of the American Heart Association Provided by American Heart Association
