If you are a person working in private sector chances are, you work long hours. Working long hours is unfortunately considered good and people look down on those who work standard hours. It is a different matter that many studies have shown that productivity dips as people work long hours.
Well, we are not discussing efficiency or productivity of working long hours here. Our concern is about what working long hours does to health.
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Many studies have found that working long hours increases risk of heart disease and stroke (paralysis).
A recent Lancet study confirms the findings. It says that people who work 55 hours or more per week have a 1.3 times greater risk of incident stroke than people who work standard hours.
Below is an excerpt from the article which throws more light on the possible reasons for increased risk from working long hours.
"Sudden death from overwork is often caused by stroke and is believed to result from a repetitive triggering of the stress response Behavioural mechanisms, such as physical inactivity, might also link long working hours and stroke; a hypothesis supported by evidence of an increased risk of incident stroke in individuals who sit for long periods at work. Physical inactivity can increase the risk of stroke through various biological mechanisms, and heavy alcohol consumption—a risk factor for all types of stroke -might be a contributing factor because employees working long hours seem to be slightly more prone to risky drinking than are those who work standard hours. Some, albeit inconsistent, evidence suggests that individuals who work long hours are more likely to ignore symptoms of disease and have greater prehospital delays in relation to acute cardiovascular events than do those who work standard hours."
So What is the take home message?
1. Work standard hours or even better less hours!
2. Avoid sitting for prolonged period
3. Avoid or eliminate Alcohol.
4. Jogging, cycling or walking will protect you from some of the risk!
Stay healthy! If you have any health related questions or doubts, our Doctors will be happy to answer you.
Well, we are not discussing efficiency or productivity of working long hours here. Our concern is about what working long hours does to health.
Many studies have found that working long hours increases risk of heart disease and stroke (paralysis).
A recent Lancet study confirms the findings. It says that people who work 55 hours or more per week have a 1.3 times greater risk of incident stroke than people who work standard hours.
Below is an excerpt from the article which throws more light on the possible reasons for increased risk from working long hours.
"Sudden death from overwork is often caused by stroke and is believed to result from a repetitive triggering of the stress response Behavioural mechanisms, such as physical inactivity, might also link long working hours and stroke; a hypothesis supported by evidence of an increased risk of incident stroke in individuals who sit for long periods at work. Physical inactivity can increase the risk of stroke through various biological mechanisms, and heavy alcohol consumption—a risk factor for all types of stroke -might be a contributing factor because employees working long hours seem to be slightly more prone to risky drinking than are those who work standard hours. Some, albeit inconsistent, evidence suggests that individuals who work long hours are more likely to ignore symptoms of disease and have greater prehospital delays in relation to acute cardiovascular events than do those who work standard hours."
So What is the take home message?
1. Work standard hours or even better less hours!
2. Avoid sitting for prolonged period
3. Avoid or eliminate Alcohol.
4. Jogging, cycling or walking will protect you from some of the risk!
Stay healthy! If you have any health related questions or doubts, our Doctors will be happy to answer you.
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