Study finds working overtime could increase heart risk

Regularly working 10 to 12 hour days can lead to a significantly increased risk of heart attack, a new study published in the European Heart Journal has found.

The BBC reports that researchers found that regular 'overtime' working patterns could increase the risk of heart disease by nearly two-thirds. The study of 6,000 British civil servants suggested that, once known heart risk factors were accounted for, those working three to four hours of overtime each day had a 60% higher risk of cardiac disease.

According to the researchers, the increased risk could be from a number of factors mainly related to stress and a lack of time to relax. Their findings suggest that employers could benefit from using a time and attendance system that tracks career-driven employees regular working hours to make sure they are not risking their health.

"Employees who work overtime may also be likely to work while ill," say the researchers. "That is, [they] may be reluctant to be absent from work despite illness."

Dr John Challenor from the Society of Occupational Medicine told the BBC: "In many ways, it confirms what we as occupational health doctors already know - that work/life balance plays a vital role in well being."

"Employers and patients need to be aware of all of the risk factors for coronary heart disease and should consider overtime as one factor that may lead to a number of medical conditions."