In a new study, researchers found that people who worked long hours had a higher risk of stroke, especially if they worked overtime for 10 years or more.
The research was conducted by an international team of scientists from the U.S. and Europe.
Previous studies noted a smaller effect of long work hours among business owners, CEOs, farmers, professionals, and managers.
Researchers noted that it might be because those groups generally have greater decision latitude than other workers. In addition, other studies have suggested that irregular shifts, night work, and job strain may be responsible for unhealthy work conditions.
In the study the team reviewed data from CONSTANCES, a French population-based study group started in 2012.
They analyzed information on age (18-69), sex, smoking and work hours derived from questionnaires from 143,592 participants.
Long work hours were defined as working more than 10 hours for at least 50 days per year.
Part-time workers and those who suffered strokes before working long hours were excluded from the study.
They found that overall 1,224 of the people suffered strokes. About 29% of them reported working long hours.
In addition, 10% of them reported working long hours for 10 years or more.
They also found that participants working long hours had a 29% greater risk of stroke, and those working long hours for 10 years or more had a 45% greater risk of stroke.
The team says that the link between 10 years of long work hours and stroke seemed stronger for people under the age of 50.
Further research is needed to explore this finding in this age group.
The team also mentions that many healthcare providers work much more than the definition of long working hours and may also be at higher risk of stroke.
They advise all people to work more efficiently.
One author of the study is Alexis Descatha, M.D., Ph.D., a researcher at Paris Hospital, Versailles and Angers University.
The study is published in the American Heart Association’s journal Stroke.
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