Preventing Hypertension from Long Working Hours
Author Information
Author(s): Landsbergis Paul, Gilbert-Ouimet Mahee, Trudel Xavier, Sembajwe Grace, Schnall Peter, Dobson Marnie, Hawkins Devan, Fadel Marc, Descatha Alexis, Li Jian
Primary Institution: SUNY Downstate School of Public Health
Hypothesis
Long working hours and other work hazards contribute to the risk of hypertension and cardiovascular disease.
Conclusion
An organizational intervention reduced blood pressure and hypertension prevalence among workers exposed to long working hours.
Supporting Evidence
- Long working hours are a significant risk factor for hypertension and cardiovascular disease.
- An intervention reduced blood pressure by 2.0 mm Hg systolic and 1.0 mm Hg diastolic.
- The prevalence of hypertension decreased by 15% in the intervention group.
Takeaway
Working too many hours can make your heart sick, but changing how we work can help keep our hearts healthy.
Methodology
The study involved an organizational intervention aimed at reducing psychosocial stressors among public sector workers, with blood pressure and hypertension prevalence measured before and after the intervention.
Limitations
Further research is needed to explore the mechanisms linking work-related factors to hypertension and CVD.
Participant Demographics
Public sector white-collar workers in Quebec, Canada.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Confidence Interval
95% CI -3.0– -1.0
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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