Working long hours is a risk factor for strokes, especially if this habit lasts more than ten years, according to a new study.
According to a study published in the journal Stroke of the American Heart Association, based on data from a group of French patients collected since 2012, the risk of stroke for people who work long days increases by 29%. For those who keep this rate for ten years or more, it even increases by 45%.
Working too much was defined upstream of the study as working days of ten hours or more, for at least 50 days a year.
An even stronger bond for people under 50
“The link between long working days and stroke seems even stronger for people under 50, explains Dr. Alexis Descatha, director of the study and researcher at Inserm. This is an unexpected result. .Further studies are needed to explore it.”
“I would also like to point out that many caregivers work much more than the definition given of long working days and that they are also subject to a higher risk of stroke, continues Descatha. As a clinician, I therefore advise my patients to work more effectively and I intend to follow my own advice.”
Previous studies had already established the effect of long working hours on occupations like entrepreneurs, CEOs, executives and managers, which were found to be less significant. The researchers noted that this could be explained by the fact that these professions have greater freedom in their decisions, compared to other professions.
Other studies also suggested that irregular hours, night work and job stress could be responsible for poor working conditions.
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