Too much work stress could lead to an irregular heartbeat

QUEBEC CITY, Quebec — Is your job stressing you out? It might be doing more than just ruining your mood – it could be putting your heart health at risk. A new study suggests that high-stress work environments may increase your chances of developing atrial fibrillation, a common heart rhythm disorder.

Researchers in Canada followed nearly 6,000 office workers for 18 years to examine the relationship between job stress and atrial fibrillation, often called AFib. They found that workers experiencing high job strain or an imbalance between their efforts and rewards at work were significantly more likely to develop AFib over time.

AFib is the most common type of abnormal heart rhythm, affecting millions of people worldwide. It occurs when the upper chambers of the heart beat chaotically and out of sync with the lower chambers. While AFib itself isn’t usually life-threatening, it can lead to serious complications like stroke and heart failure if left untreated.

The study, published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, builds on previous research linking job stress to other cardiovascular problems like high blood pressure and coronary heart disease. However, this is one of the first long-term studies to specifically examine AFib risk.

“Our study suggests that work-related stressors may be relevant factors to include in preventive strategies,” says lead author Dr. Xavier Trudel, of Laval University, 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.”

The researchers focused on two well-established models of workplace stress. The first, known as “job strain,” occurs when workers face high psychological demands but have little control or decision-making power in their roles. The second model, called “effort-reward imbalance,” happens when workers feel their efforts aren’t adequately compensated through pay, respect, job security, or career opportunities.

Among the study participants, 19% reported high job strain, and 25% reported effort-reward imbalance. Over the 18-year follow-up period, 186 people developed atrial fibrillation.

After accounting for other risk factors like age, sex, education, lifestyle habits, and other health conditions, the researchers found that workers with high job strain had an 83% higher risk of developing AFib compared to those with low job strain. Those experiencing effort-reward imbalance had a 44% higher risk.

The effects were even more pronounced for workers exposed to both types of workplace stress simultaneously. These individuals had nearly double the risk of AFib compared to those without either stressor.

The study’s findings raise important questions about how chronic stress affects heart health. While the exact biological mechanisms aren’t fully understood, the researchers suggest that ongoing stress may lead to changes in the autonomic nervous system, which controls heart rate and other involuntary bodily functions.

Chronic stress is known to activate the body’s “fight or flight” response, leading to surges in stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. Over time, this constant state of arousal may cause electrical and structural changes in the heart that make it more susceptible to arrhythmias like AFib.

Additionally, workplace stress often contributes to unhealthy coping behaviors like poor diet, lack of exercise, excessive alcohol consumption, and disrupted sleep patterns. These factors can indirectly increase AFib risk by promoting obesity, high blood pressure, and other cardiovascular risk factors.

The study’s results highlight the need for a more holistic approach to heart disease prevention that considers psychosocial factors alongside traditional risk factors. Employers may want to consider implementing stress reduction programs or re-evaluating workloads and reward structures to create healthier work environments.

For individuals, the findings underscore the importance of managing workplace stress through healthy coping strategies. This could include setting boundaries, practicing relaxation techniques, seeking support from colleagues or supervisors, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

“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 notes. “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.”

While more research is necessary to confirm these findings and explore potential interventions, the study provides compelling evidence that job stress is more than just an annoyance – it could have serious implications for long-term heart health. As the workforce continues to evolve and job demands increase in many sectors, addressing workplace stress may become an increasingly important part of public health efforts to reduce the burden of atrial fibrillation and other cardiovascular diseases.