Work Stress Linked to 97% Increased Risk of Irregular Heart Rhythm (AFib)
A 2024 study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that adults in white-collar jobs with high job strain and for whom significant efforts are met with low rewards (such as low salary or recognition) may face a 97% increased risk for developing the irregular heart rhythm condition known as atrial fibrillation (AFib) compared to workers not exposed to these work stressors. High job strain alone was associated with an 83% higher risk of developing AFib, and effort-reward imbalance alone was associated with a 44% greater risk. AFib can lead to stroke, heart failure and other cardiovascular complications. The researchers studied medical database records for 6,000 adults in white-collar jobs in Canada, with 18 years of follow-up data.
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