Job Stress Could Increase Blood Pressure

NEW YORK: A recent study has claimed that workers who are under constant stress may start to show it in their blood pressure readings.

In a study that followed more than 6,719 white-collar workers for 7.5 years, Canadian researchers found that those with high job demands, and reported low levels of social support in the office, tended to have higher blood pressure than other workers

This relationship was stronger among men than among women. As a group, men with high job strain had higher blood pressure and were at greater risk of blood pressure increases over time than those with less stressful work.

In addition, it was also found that men and women who said they got little support from their bosses and co-workers seemed particularly vulnerable to the blood pressure effects of job strain.

"Our study supports the hypothesis that job strain, particularly in workers with low social support at work, may contribute to increased blood pressure," lead author Dr. Chantal Guimont of Laval University in Quebec told Reuters Health.

She and her colleagues report the findings in the American Journal of Public Health.

Many studies have examined the link between cardiovascular disease and job strain; typically defined as work with high psychological demands, but with little independence or decision-making authority. Evidence suggests that chronically stressed workers are more likely to develop heart disease, but studies looking specifically at blood pressure effects have yielded mixed results.

Job stress might raise blood pressure by chronically activating the nervous and cardiovascular systems. On the other hand, stressed workers may have little time or energy for exercise, may eat poorly or have higher smoking rates; though, in this study, the researchers accounted for factors like smoking, exercise habits and weight.

According to Guimont, the current findings support the notion that curbing job strain could make a difference in some workers' blood pressure. For example, she said, employers might give workers more support or more say in how they accomplish their tasks, loosen up deadline pressure, or offer more chances for learning and growth.

Work-stress-related ill health is common. Data from Health and Safety Executive (HSE) shows each case of stress-related ill health leads to an average of 30.9 working days lost.

Chris Rowe, head of the HSE's stress programme, said, "There is good evidence that there are physical manifestations of stress.

"Most people work under an awful lot of pressure. It's managing it that is important.

"Stress is the result of the feeling that people have when they are unable to deal with excessive pressure."

He said there was a great deal that employers and staff could do to promote desirable working conditions.

June Davison, cardiac nurse at the British Heart Foundation, said, "For some people, being under constant stress at work can contribute to developing high blood pressure.

"Incorporating physical activity into your working day will help - use the stairs instead of the lift, get off the bus one stop early, or park the car away from the office, so that you walk some of the way to work."