Chronic Job Strain in Patients with Coronary Heart Disease

Patients who stayed in stressful workplaces for more than 2 years after MI were found to be at heightened risk for recurrent events.

Job strain, defined as the effect of a work environment in which psychological demands are high and the freedom to make decisions is low, has been associated with an increased risk for first MI. In this prospective cohort study, investigators examined whether job strain is associated with increased risk for recurrent cardiovascular events. The prespecified outcome was a composite of fatal coronary heart disease, nonfatal MI, and unstable angina.

Between 1996 and 2005, 866 men and 106 women younger than 60 who returned to work after a first MI were interviewed an average of 6 weeks after their return, then again 2 years and 6 years later. During a mean follow-up of 5.9 years, 206 patients experienced coronary events, most of which were nonfat…

Reviewing Author

JoAnne M. Foody, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardAegerion; Amarin; Bristol-Myers Squibb; Janssen; Merck; Pfizer; Sanofi-Aventis; Boehringer Ingelheim

Leadership positions in professional societiesAmerican College of Cardiology, Cardiosmart (Co-chair)

JoAnne M. Foody, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardAegerion; Amarin; Bristol-Myers Squibb; Janssen; Merck; Pfizer; Sanofi-Aventis; Boehringer Ingelheim

Leadership positions in professional societiesAmerican College of Cardiology, Cardiosmart (Co-chair)