Working long hours ‘increases stroke risk’

People who work long hours have an increased risk of developing an irregular heartbeat, raising their chances of suffering a stroke, heart failure and dementia, a study has shown.

Researchers at University College London found that compared to people working 35 to 40 hours each week, those who work 55 hours or more were around 40 per cent more likely to develop atrial fibrillation, a condition which causes the heart to race and can led to dizziness, shortness of breath and palpitations.

The findings were published in the European Heart Journal.