Elevated Stress and a High-Effort, Low-Reward Work Situation can Double the Risk of Heart Disease in Men

Research on white-collar employees indicates that men facing work-related stress alongside high-effort, low-reward job situations are twice as likely to develop heart disease. This effect on heart health is comparable to the impact of obesity.

Several widely recognized risk factors associated with lifestyle have been pinpointed as important areas to address in the prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD). These factors encompass psychosocial elements like work-related stress and disparities between the effort demanded by a job and the rewards, which extend beyond just salary to include recognition and job security.

Examining the Interaction of Job Strain and Effort-Reward Imbalance on Heart Disease Risk, with a Focus on Men

While previous research has explored the individual effects of these two factors on the risk of heart disease, there have been limited investigations into their combined influence. A recent study has now specifically examined how job strain and effort-reward imbalance (ERI) jointly impact heart disease risk, with a particular emphasis on men.

Mathilde Lavigne-Robichaud, the lead and corresponding author of the study, emphasized the importance of comprehending the connection between workplace stressors and cardiovascular health, given the substantial time people spend at work. She noted, “Our study underscores the urgent need to proactively address stressful work conditions and create healthier work environments that can benefit both employees and employers.”

Investigating the Impact of Job Strain on Cardiovascular Health in a Cohort of Canadian Professionals

The study involved 3,118 male and 3,347 female white-collar workers from Canada who were tracked for a median duration of 18.7 years. These workers held various roles, including senior management, professional, technical, and office positions. Throughout the study period, the scientists monitored the occurrence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and job strain.

Mathilde Lavigne-Robichaud clarified that “job strain” pertains to work settings in which employees encounter a combination of demanding job requirements and limited control over their work. High demands may encompass heavy workloads, tight deadlines, and numerous responsibilities, while low control means employees have minimal influence over decision-making and how they execute their tasks.

Additionally, the researchers assessed both work effort and reward, combining these measures to calculate the Effort-Reward Imbalance (ERI) ratio.

When Work Effort Outweighs Perceived Rewards

“Effort-reward imbalance arises when employees invest significant effort in their work but perceive the rewards they receive – such as salary, recognition, or job security – as insufficient or unequal to their exertion,” explained Lavigne-Robichaud. “For instance, if you consistently go above and beyond but feel that you’re not receiving the credit or rewards commensurate with your efforts, that situation is termed effort-reward imbalance.”

The study revealed that men who reported either job strain or ERI experienced a 49% higher risk of heart disease compared to men who didn’t report these stressors. Men who reported both job strain and ERI faced double the risk (103%) of heart disease compared to those who didn’t report these stressors. Interestingly, the combined impact of job strain and ERI on heart disease risk was comparable to the impact of obesity. However, the impact of work-related stress on women’s health remained inconclusive.

Potential Health Benefits for Men and Implications for Women’s Well-being”

Lavigne-Robichaud commented, “Our findings suggest that interventions aimed at reducing workplace stressors could be especially beneficial for men and could also have positive implications for women, given that these stress factors are linked to other prevalent health issues like depression. The study’s inability to establish a direct link between psychosocial job stressors and coronary heart disease in women underscores the need for further exploration of the intricate interplay between various stressors and women’s heart health.”

The researchers acknowledge that a limitation of their study is its focus on Canadian white-collar workers. Nevertheless, they believe the results may still be applicable to white-collar workers in the United States and other high-income countries with similar job structures.

Read the original article on: New Atlas

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