Overtime...Is It Worth It?

Working overtime at work? It may not be good for your health. According to a new study published in the European Heart Journal, logging too many overtime working hours could land you in the cardiologist’s office.

Too Much Overtime at Work is Bad for the Heart

Researchers in Europe followed over 10,000 middle-aged office workers in London for eleven years. They found that workers who did three or four overtime working hours had a sixty percent greater risk of developing heart disease than workers who did no overtime work.

The researchers took into account and controlled for over twenty factors, such as smoking, poor diet, high cholesterol levels, and high blood pressure, that could have altered the results – and still found an increased risk.

Why More Overtime Working Hours Increases Heart Disease Risk

There are numerous reasons – some of which the researchers controlled for in this study – such as the fact that people who are strongly driven to succeed, the so-called type A personality, are more likely to pick up overtime hours, and are also more likely to get heart disease. There’s also the possibility that people who volunteer to work overtime hours are doing so because of financial or personal stressors – which could put them at higher risk for heart problems.

People who work overtime may also have less time to take care of themselves - and eat a healthy diet, exercise, and see a doctor regularly – although these factors were controlled for in this study. All in all, it’s not clear why people who work more overtime are at higher risk of heart disease. Hopefully, further research will clarify this.

Less Overtime at Work and More Balance is Key

What this study does show is the importance of balance. Too many hours spent at the office means less time to spend with loved ones, enjoy a stress-free meal, exercise, and get a reasonable amount of sleep.

Too many Americans are so focused on building a career or business and making money that they neglect their health – and even their families. This can increase the risk of physical and mental health problems such as high blood pressure, insomnia, and depression.

The key is to strike a balance between work and leisure life. After all, what good is making money if you’re not around to enjoy it? Something to think about if you’re doing too much overtime at work.

by Dr. Kristie References: Eurekalert website. "Overtime Work is Bad for the Heart."

0 members like this