New study shows: This is why stressed men die earlier

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Many people suffer from stress at work. Two in five workers in Switzerland regularly feel stressed, a survey by the employee association Travail Suisse showed last November. This can have deadly consequences, as a new study from Quebec (Can) shows. “NZZ am Sonntag” writes that stress at work, especially for men, leads to serious health risks such as coronary heart disease and heart attack.

The main causes of stress at work are excessive workload and imbalance between performance and reward. According to the research, the risk of coronary heart disease and heart attack in men increases one and a half times when one of the two factors applies. This number is twice as high if a man suffers from both factors in the workplace.

The risk does not increase in women

However, the risk is not increased in women. It is difficult to determine the reasons. What may play a role in this is that some women take hormones that provide some protection during menopause. Maybe a reason can be found among men, too. For example, they may define themselves more strongly through work. If they feel like doormats or bouncers who aren’t allowed to have a say in decisions at work, this can cause them more stress than it does for women.

The new study comes from Canada. Berlin psychotherapist Nora Dietrich says the results can also be transferred to Switzerland and Germany. All three countries have Western-influenced work philosophies.

In 2022, 9,512 men died from cardiovascular disease in Switzerland. As a result, an additional 66,554 people had to go to hospital. 12,757 people had heart attacks and almost as many had strokes.

“Stress is not given enough importance as a risk factor.”

“Stress as a risk factor is not given enough importance,” Christian Schmied, senior cardiologist at the University Hospital Zurich, tells “NZZ am Sonntag”. «If someone says they experience stress at work, it also means they have a lot of work to do and are successful. “On the other hand, if someone smokes or does not do any exercise, this is frowned upon by society,” he explains.

However, stress hormones trigger chronic inflammatory reactions in the body, which leads to pathological changes in the arteries.

Mindfulness training, education, and even individual psychological treatments can help reduce stress. Additionally, employers can ensure that employees experience less stress by addressing the workload and working environment. (smt)

Source :Blick