June 17, 2004 – Losing your job as you approach retirement doubles your risk of having a stroke.
This is the conclusion that American researchers have come to1 who, for six years, observed the consequences of stress on the risk of myocardial infarction and stroke among 457 workers who lost their jobs. These were compared to 3,763 workers who had kept their jobs. In both groups, the mean age was 55 years.
The results indicate that while job loss does not appear to be linked to an increased risk of having a heart attack, it could nevertheless double the risk of causing a stroke in older workers following job loss.
According to the study’s authors, previous research had shown a link between job loss before retirement and the onset of symptoms of depression as well as the decline in certain physiological functions.
Martin LaSalle – PasseportSanté.net
1. Gallo WT et al, Involuntary job loss as a risk factor for subsequent myocardial infarction and stroke: Findings from The Health and Retirement Survey, American Journal of Industrial Medicine, 2004, Vol. 45 No 5, 408-16.
