Long working hours ‘increase risk of heart problems’

Long working hours increase a person’s risk of heart problems, according to the results of a new study.

The publication in the European Heart Journal said people who regularly work ten to 11 hours a day increase their risk of heart disease by 60 per cent.

This conclusion was based on a study conducted among 6,000 British civil servants, which concluded that the number of hours worked appeared to be strongly linked to the number of cases of heart problems.

It was suggested that this could be a result of factors such as high blood pressure, reduced sleeping hours and increased psychological stress.

Cathy Ross, senior cardiac nurse at the British Heart Foundation, which part-funded the study, said that although the reasons behind this link were not completely clear, it nevertheless demonstrates the influence of working lives on cardiovascular health.

She added: “There are simple ways to look after your heart health at work, like taking a brisk walk at lunch, taking the stairs instead of the lift, or by swapping that biscuit for a piece of fruit.”