Work stress increases the risk of irregular heart rhythm (AFib) by 97%

The impact of work stress on cardiovascular diseases is both clear and profound.

Psychosocial stress factors at the workplace, defined by job stress models and the effort-reward imbalance (ERI) at work, have been shown to increase the risk of coronary artery disease.

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 lack of recognition) may face a 97% higher risk of developing the irregular heart rhythm condition known as atrial fibrillation (AFib) compared to those not exposed to these work stressors.

High job strain alone was associated with an 83% increased risk of AFib, while 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.