Work-related stress and early atherosclerosis

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Health
• Occupational Medicine
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Atherosclerosis, a disease of the arteries, is a significant public health concern.
• Work-related stress is a growing factor in modern life, with potential health implications.
• Early detection of atherosclerosis is crucial for preventing cardiovascular events.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between work-related stress and subclinical atherosclerosis.
• To measure atherosclerosis using common carotid artery intima-media thickness and focal lesions.
• To explore potential sex differences in the stress-atherosclerosis relationship.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a cohort of 467 occupational workers (total N=573).
• Employed questionnaires to assess work-related stress levels.
• Conducted B-mode ultrasound to measure common carotid artery intima-media thickness and identify focal lesions.

Main Results:

• Men in the highest stress quintile had a 36% prevalence of carotid lesions versus 21% in the lowest quintile.
• Men with highest stress showed increased intima-media thickness (0.048 +/- 0.025 mm) compared to the lowest stress group.
• No significant association between work-related stress and atherosclerosis was found in women.

Conclusions:

• Elevated work-related stress is linked to a higher risk of atherosclerosis in men.
• Potential protective factors or limitations in stress assessment may explain the lack of association in women.
• Findings highlight the importance of managing occupational stress for cardiovascular health in men.