Overwork After a Heart Attack Could Increase Risk of Second Event
A person who has suffered a heart attack may experience residual effects much longer after the initial attack and even after rehabilitation. According to a new study, working longer hours or under strenuous conditions could expose a heart attack patient to the risk of another attack.
The researchers found that the risk of a heart attack increased significantly when a person who had suffered a heart attack worked more than 55 hours a week after recovering from his cardiac arrest, compared to persons who worked between 35 and 40 hours a week. In fact, according to the researchers, the increased risk of the second heart attack is equal to the risk of smoking.
The researchers suggest that workers who have suffered a heart attack work together with the employer to come up with interventions that accommodate the need for less strenuous work as well as changes to the work environment to accommodate these needs.