Canadian researchers from Université du Québec studied how workplace conditions relate to heart health. They found that when stressful work situations are paired with low recognition for work done, the risk of cardiovascular disease in men rose by about 49 percent. The findings appear in Circulation Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes, a peer reviewed journal of record in cardiovascular research.
With so much of daily life spent on the job, understanding how job stressors affect cardiovascular health matters for public health and employee well being. The study’s lead researcher, Mathilde Lavigne-Robichaud, MD, highlights the practical importance of this work for people in Canada and the United States alike.
Two psychosocial stressors were identified: job strain and the imbalance between effort and reward. The researchers explain that stress grows when demands are high, deadlines are tight, and responsibilities accumulate, while workers have little voice in decision making. Low pay can reflect not only inadequate wages but also insufficient recognition and lack of job security, both of which contribute to perceived unfairness.
Experts concluded that work stress and perceived unfair evaluation can influence men’s cardiovascular health to a degree comparable with obesity. The study did not find a similar link for women, suggesting possible gender differences in how work-related stressors affect heart health. The researchers note that more work is needed to understand why this disparity exists and to identify targeted strategies that may protect brain and heart health for women facing cardiovascular disease risk.
Prior investigations have explored interventions to support women dealing with heart disease, including approaches aimed at improving mental health resilience, social support, and access to tailored medical care. The current Canadian study adds to a growing body of evidence showing that the workplace environment plays a meaningful role in physical well being and that addressing stress and reward structures could have broad public health benefits across North America.