Working too hard increases stroke risk

A word of caution for workaholics. A recent study showed that in comparison to working 35 to 40 hours a week, working 48 hours and beyond increases one’s risk of stroke by 10%.
Those who work up to 54 hours increase their risk by 27%, and those who work 55 hours or more in a week, increase their risk for stroke by 33%. Researcher Mika Kivimaki explained that the group who worked 35 to 40 hours in a week had five strokes per 1,000 employees in 10 years.This increased to six strokes per 1,000 employees in 10 years for those who worked 55 hours or more in a week. Researchers believe that the risk for stroke has something to do with the sedentary lifestyle that comes with working at the office. "Working long hours can involve sitting for long periods, experiencing stress and leads to less time available for yourself," said Dr. Shamim Quadir, a researcher on the study. To help lower the risk of stroke, its reccomended that people take a brisk walk for 20 minutes every day, get at least seven hours of sleep, and keep your blood sugar and blood pressure in check. It’s also best to quit smoking, limit alcohol intake, and create a work-life balance through making a schedule solely for exercise and relaxation.