Work stress raises risk of suffering atrial fibrillation

TOO much job pressure may increase your risk of developing a rapid and irregular heart rate, called atrial fibrillation, which can lead to a stroke, dementia, heart failure and other complications.

The study found that being stressed at work was associated with a 48% higher risk of atrial fibrillation.

“Work stress has previously been linked with coronary heart disease. Work stress should be considered a modifiable risk factor for preventing atrial fibrillation and coronary heart disease,” said study author Eleonor Fransson, from Jonkoping University in Sweden.

“People who feel stressed at work and have palpitations or other symptoms of atrial fibrillation should see their doctor and speak to their employer about improving the situation at work,” she said.

The study, published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, included 13 200 participants and defined work stress as job strain, which refers to jobs with high psychological demands combined with low control over the work situation.

After a median follow-up of 5.7 years, the researchers identified that work stress was a risk factor for atrial fibrillation.

“Atrial fibrillation is a common condition with serious consequences, so it is of major public health importance to find ways to prevent it,” Fransson said.

Symptoms of atrial fibrillation include palpitations, weakness, fatigue, feeling light-headed, dizziness and shortness of breath. – IANS