Can Work Stress Lead To Another Heart Attack?

— -- Question: Can work stress lead to another heart attack?

Answer: Work stress can lead to another heart attack. A recently published paper in the medical literature found that those patients who'd had a heart attack and who were followed up over a two to four year period, that those who had continuing work stress, continuing high levels of demands at their job and a low level of their ability to control how they meet those demands -- these patients were much more likely to suffer a second heart attack or to die. So, if you've already had a heart attack, and you have a high-stress job, continuing to work in that high-stress job without doing something about it, one way or the other, has been shown to put you at higher risk both for dying, and for having another heart attack.

Next: Is It More Important To Reduce The Stress In My Life Or Modify My Reaction To Stress?

Previous: Should I Change My Job If I Am Finding It Stressful After A Heart Attack?