UCL Discovery
UCL home » Library Services » Electronic resources » UCL Discovery

Work stress and coronary heart disease: what are the mechanisms?

Chandola, T.; Britton, A.; Brunner, E.; Hemingway, H.; Malik, M.; Kumari, M.; Badrick, E.; ... Marmot, M.G.; + view all (2008) Work stress and coronary heart disease: what are the mechanisms? European Heart Journal , 29 (5) pp. 640-648. 10.1093/eurheartj/ehm584. Green open access

[thumbnail of 5068.pdf]
Preview
PDF
5068.pdf

Download (396kB)

Abstract

Aims: To determine the biological and behavioural factors linking work stress with coronary heart disease (CHD). Methods and results: A total of 10 308 London-based male and female civil servants aged 35–55 at phase 1 (1985–88) of the Whitehall II study were studied. Exposures included work stress (assessed at phases 1 and 2), and outcomes included behavioural risk factors (phase 3), the metabolic syndrome (phase 3), heart rate variability, morning rise in cortisol (phase 7), and incident CHD (phases 2–7) on the basis of CHD death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, or definite angina. Chronic work stress was associated with CHD and this association was stronger among participants aged under 50 (RR 1.68, 95% CI 1.17–2.42). There were similar associations between work stress and low physical activity, poor diet, the metabolic syndrome, its components, and lower heart rate variability. Cross-sectionally, work stress was associated with a higher morning rise in cortisol. Around 32% of the effect of work stress on CHD was attributable to its effect on health behaviours and the metabolic syndrome. Conclusion: Work stress may be an important determinant of CHD among working-age populations, which is mediated through indirect effects on health behaviours and direct effects on neuroendocrine stress pathways.

Type: Article
Title: Work stress and coronary heart disease: what are the mechanisms?
Open access status: An open access version is available from UCL Discovery
DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehm584
Publisher version: http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/ehm584
Language: English
Keywords: Work stress, Autonomic nervous system, Myocardial infarction, Angina, Coronary heart disease, Psychosocial
UCL classification: UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Population Health Sciences > Institute of Epidemiology and Health > Epidemiology and Public Health
URI: https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/5068
Downloads since deposit
1,343Downloads
Download activity - last month
Download activity - last 12 months
Downloads by country - last 12 months

Archive Staff Only

View Item View Item