A study published in the European Heart Journal showed that working long hours may increase heart problems.
Atrial Fibrillation, or AFib commonly known, is the most common heart rhythm irregularity problem globally. It occurs when the top chambers of the heartbeat rapidly or irregularly. This can put a person at higher risk for a stroke.
In a decade-long study of over 85,000 men and women from Europe who had no previous history of AFib, they found that those who worked more than 55 hours a week had a 40% increased risk of AFib.
The study didn't specify what type of jobs that the participants held.
Other issues put you at risk of AFib, such as obesity, high blood pressure, previous heart disease, diabetes, age, and alcohol use. Diet and exercise can reduce your risk of AFib.
And I believe this study.
As you all know, I work as a Health Unit Coordinator at a hospital. I first started off on a Medical-Surgical floor, where we get all types of patients. I then transferred to the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit to take care of (surprise!) patients with heart issues.
Working in a hospital is stressful enough, and there are plenty of opportunities for overtime. And some of us love to take it. I know I do.
I think the long hours, combined with my high blood pressure and sedentary lifestyle, led to my being diagnosed with AFib a few years ago.
But AFib was a wake-up call, and it was exactly what I needed. With a change in diet, exercise, stress level, and prayer, my heart repaired itself.
And so can yours.
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