Working longer hours increases the risk of heart disease

A decades-long study of nearly 2,000 office workers has revealed a correlation between the number of hours worked and heart health. The results show that working longer hours increases the risk of heart disease.

The study by the University of Texas School of Public Health followed 1,926 men and women from 1986 to 2011, keeping track of their work history and health. Over the years, 822 of the participants were diagnosed with cardiovascular disease.

It was revealed that for every additional hour of work per week over 10 years, there was a 1% increase in the risk of developing heart disease. That means those who worked 55 hours a week were 16% more likely to be diagnosed than those who worked 45 hours. Meanwhile, working 70 hours a week doubled the risk of heart problems, including angina, coronary heart disease, hypertension, stroke and heart attack.

Read the original article by The New York Times at nyti.ms/1TSp9uC