Chronic job strain raises blood pressure

Workers who are under constant stress may start to show it in their blood pressure readings. 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.Researchers from the Laval University in Quebec, Canada, followed more than 6,719 white-collar workers for 7.5 years and 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. The 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 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. The study supports the hypothesis that job strain, particularly in workers with low social support at work, may contribute to increased blood pressureTheoretically, 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 the above study, the researchers accounted for factors like smoking, exercise habits and weight.

The above findings support the notion that curbing job strain could make a difference in some workers' blood pressure. For example, 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.

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