Work-related Heart Risk

People who return to a stressful job after a heart attack are more vulnerable to a second attack than those whose work is not as stressful, research suggests.

A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, followed some 1,000 patients returning to work in Canada. In six years, more than 200 suffered heart problems again - and those with job strain were twice as likely to fall ill.

In the study, "job strain" was defined as having a high pressure workload but few decision-making powers.

The researchers, from Laval University in Quebec, said their findings had taken into account other risk factors such as lifestyle, socio-economic group and clinical prognosis.

"Information about the results of this study should be disseminated in cardiac practice and in occupational health services with the aim of reducing job strain for workers returning to work after a heart attack," the researchers said.

They added, though, that further research is still required.

Health Insurance Magazine - 12th October 07