It has been long acknowledged that a stressful job, or the fear of losing a job, increased the risk of heart attacks in men. A recent study by the American Heart Association reports that the same effect is felt in women, who now comprise half of the workforce.
Entitled the "Women's Health Study," he research involved over 17,000 participants over a 10 year period. Women with demanding jobs and with little control of them were nearly twice as likely to have suffered a heart attack as those with less demanding jobs, and more control. The high-stress group had a 40 percent higher risk of overall heart problems, including heart attacks, strokes, or clogged arteries requiring surgery.
Women who were were worried about losing their job had higher blood pressure, cholesterol, and body weight. Stress contributes to heart issues by releasing "fight or flight" hormones, that brings about inflammation and raises blood pressure.
No surprsie, exercise was one of the remedies prescribed to lower risk factors, both for its physiological effects and its ability to clear the mind and improve one's mood.
The report also suggested limiting work you need to bring home, spending time with friends and family, and making sure there is some "me time" incorporated into every day.
There is still some inequity in the workplace, with women less likely to have positions of authority. Generally, the less authority and control of your situation, the more stress you have. The more stress you have, the more likely health problems will follow.
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