A recent study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association suggests that work-related stress, particularly stemming from job strain and perceived imbalances between effort and reward, could elevate the likelihood of developing atrial fibrillation (AFib), an abnormal heart rhythm condition. The research, conducted among adults in white-collar jobs in Canada, revealed that individuals facing high levels of job strain and feeling undervalued for their efforts were at a significantly higher risk of AFib compared to less stressed peers.
Dr. Xavier Trudel, an occupational and cardiovascular epidemiologist, and an associate professor at Laval University in Quebec City, Canada, emphasized the importance of considering work-related stressors in preventive strategies. AFib, the most prevalent type of abnormal heart rhythm, can result in severe complications like stroke and heart failure, affecting an estimated more than 12 million people in the U.S. by 2030.
While previous studies have linked job strain and effort-reward imbalances to an increased risk of coronary heart disease, this new research is the first to explore their association with AFib. Job strain was defined as facing high job demands with little control over work-related decisions, while effort-reward imbalance referred to putting in substantial effort at work but receiving inadequate rewards, measured through self-reported questionnaires.
Analyzing data from the PROspective Quebec Study on Work and Health involving 5,926 adults in white-collar professions, the study found that individuals experiencing high job strain had an 83% higher risk of developing AFib, and those facing an effort-reward imbalance had a 44% increased risk. Furthermore, individuals reporting both job strain and effort-reward imbalance had a 97% higher risk of AFib compared to their less stressed counterparts.
Dr. Trudel highlighted the necessity of recognizing and addressing psychosocial stressors at work to cultivate healthy work environments beneficial for individuals and organizations. He recommended investigating workplace interventions to reduce these stressors to potentially mitigate the risk of AFib in future research efforts.