Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 6, 2025
Calculating Heart Rate Variability from ECG Data from Youth with Cerebral Palsy During Active Video Game Sessions
Published on: June 5, 2019
Cardiovascular health and workload in university workers
Horrana Carolina Bahmad Gonçalves1, Pedro Henrique de Almeida Silva2, Viviane Soares1,2
1Medical School, Universidade Evangélica de Goiás (UniEVANGÉLICA), Anápolis, GO, Brazil.
Insights
High workloads exceeding 40 hours weekly are linked to increased cardiovascular disease risk factors, including obesity and elevated blood pressure, in higher education employees. This highlights the impact of work overload on employee health.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Cardiovascular Disease Research
- Public Health
Background:
- High workloads are recognized contributors to cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors.
- Work overload can negatively impact daily living activities and overall employee well-being.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between workload and cardiovascular health indicators.
- To assess cardiovascular health in employees of a higher education institution based on their working hours.
Main Methods:
- An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted with 121 employees.
- Workload was self-reported, while cardiovascular health was assessed via multiple measures including BMI, blood pressure, diet, and physical activity.
- Standardized questionnaires (IPAQ, MDQ) were utilized for physical activity and diet assessment.
Main Results:
- Employees working over 40 hours/week exhibited higher body mass index (BMI) and blood pressure levels.
- A significant negative correlation was observed between extended working hours and overall cardiovascular health scores.
- Working more than 40 hours was associated with increased BMI, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and reduced cardiovascular health.
Conclusions:
- Workloads exceeding 40 hours per week may predispose employees to adverse cardiovascular health outcomes.
- Obesity and systemic hypertension are key concerns for employees experiencing significant work overload.
- Interventions addressing workload management may be crucial for improving cardiovascular health in academic settings.
Introduction:
High workloads contribute to the development of risk factors for cardiovascular disease. One contributing factor is the difficulty in minimizing the effects of work overload on activities of daily living.
Objectives:
To determine whether there is an association between workload and cardiovascular health among employees of a higher education institution.
Methods:
An analytical cross-sectional study of 121 employees. Workload was measured by a self-report questionnaire. Cardiovascular health was assessed using seven measures (diet, physical activity, body mass index, smoking, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, fasting glucose, and total cholesterol). The International Physical Activity Questionnaire and the Mediterranean Diet Questionnaire were used to assess physical activity and diet, respectively.
Results:
71 women (58.7%) and 50 men (41.3%) participated. Employees working > 40 hours/week (44.6%) had higher body mass index (∆ = +2.2 kg/m2, p = 0.015), blood pressure (systolic blood pressure: ∆ = +8.6 mmHg, p = 0.002; diastolic blood pressure: ∆ = +4.1 mmHg; p = 0.032) and lower cardiovascular health score (∆= -1.1; p = 0.009). There was a positive correlation between working hours and body mass index (p = 0.013) and systemic blood pressure (p = 0.08), and a negative correlation for cardiovascular health score (p = 0.047).
Conclusions:
Workers with a workload > 40 hours/week may be susceptible to worse cardiovascular health, especially in terms of obesity and systemic blood pressure.
Related Concept Videos
01:23Assessment of the Cardiovascular System I: Subjective Data
Initial Enquiry
Ask the patient about their primary concern and thoroughly explore all reported symptoms.
Medical History
Investigate past illnesses affecting the cardiovascular system, such as angina, anemia, rheumatic fever, congenital heart disease, stroke, thrombophlebitis, dysrhythmias, varicosities
Inquire about symptoms...
01:17Exercise and Cardiac Output
Sustained exercise increases the muscles' oxygen demand, which can be...
01:20Exercise and Cardiovascular Response
Light to moderate physical activity initiates a series of interconnected responses in the body. The heart rate modestly increases in anticipation of the workout, followed by widespread vasodilation as oxygen consumption by skeletal muscles increases. This results in decreased peripheral resistance, increased capillary blood flow, and accelerated...
01:20Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System I: Cardiac Biomarkers
The essential diagnostic tools for detecting myocardial necrosis and monitoring individuals suspected of having acute coronary syndrome (ACS) include:
Troponins
Troponins, particularly cardiac troponins I and T, are the most precise and sensitive markers of myocardial injury. They are detectable within 4-6 hours of myocardial injury and remain...
01:19Cardiac Output I:Effect of Heart Rate on Cardiac Output
Cardiac output (CO) refers to the total amount of blood ejected by one of the ventricles in liters per minute (L/min). In a resting adult, CO ranges from 5 to 6 L/min, adjusting according to the body's metabolic requirements.
Effect of Heart Rate on Cardiac Output
Cardiac output adapts to metabolic demands during stress, physical activity, or illness. The autonomic nervous system regulates heart rate via the sinoatrial node. The parasympathetic nervous system decreases heart...
01:27Psychoneuroimmunology: Cardiovascular Disease
A key area of focus in PNI is the relationship between stress and coronary...