High Work Pressure Increases Chances of Heart Ailments in Working Women by 50%
There have been many studies linking excess work pressure and heart ailments in male workers. But there is not much data to show the effects of work pressure on women. Now, a survey by Occupational and Environmental Medicine shows that women who feel pressurised during work are more likely to suffer from heart ailments.
This is the second report related to occupational ailments in women after a recent HSE study showed the link between shift work and breast cancer.
The study took into account 12,000 female nurses between the ages of 45 years to 64 years and asked them about the level of work pressure they felt. It also looked at their medical records from 1993 onwards to 2008. It was found that around six hundred of them had been hospitalised during that period due to ischaemic heart disease. Out of these, there were 369 cases of angina and 138 cases of heart attacks.
Before calculating the contribution of stress, the study accounted for elements like smoking habits and other diseases. It found that those who felt excess pressure at office were 50% more prone to heart ailments. Those who felt that pressure was still a little too high were 25% more likely to suffer from heart diseases.
Companies need to be sure that they are giving the correct instructions to employees with regard to health and safety issues; accredited IOSH courses, by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health, can assist organisations to be aware of the proper health and safety procedures for all kinds of workplace situations, and make sure they are fully aware of the most up-to-date requirements.
