E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSSLosing your job can give you a heart attack – quite literally.
Duke University researchers have found that unemployment significantly raises the risk of a heart attack. And that risk goes up with each job loss and with increasing time spent unemployed, according to a study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine.
In fact, one job loss raised the risk of a heart attack by 35 percent, while four job losses raised the risk by 63 percent. The unemployed were at greatest risk of a heart attack within the year following a layoff or firing.
“Looking at a lifetime of exposure to a social stressor such as unemployment – the number of times a person has lost a job or the amount of time they’re without a job – there’s an independent association with heart attacks,” says the study’s lead author Matthew E. Dupre, an assistant professor of at Duke and a senior fellow at the university’s Center for the Study of Aging.
Dupre says he and his colleagues were somewhat surprised by their results, since they took into account known and suspected risk factors, like high blood pressure and loss of health insurance.
“The fact that the associations remained largely unchanged despite accounting for more than a dozen suspected risk factors was somewhat unexpected,” he says. “Changes in income, health insurance, health behaviors, physical health status, and the like had little impact on the risks related to unemployment. Instead, we found that the risks associated with multiple job losses were of the magnitude of other established risk factors, such as smoking, hypertension, and diabetes.”
For the new study, the researchers scrutinized the health and work histories of 13,451 adults aged 51 to 64. Detailed histories covered a full 18 years, during which study volunteers suffered a total of 1061 heart attacks.
At the outset, 14 percent of the volunteers were unemployed. During the course of the study 69.7 percent lost one or more jobs.
Heart experts said that the study adds to the mounting evidence that certain kinds of stressors can ramp up the risk of a cardiovascular event.
“This is adding to what we know with regards to the triggers of cardiovascular events,” says Dr. John Schindler, an assistant professor of medicine at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. “Many years ago we thought of this as a random process. Now we see there are real triggers, whether environmental or perceived stress.”
Recent studies have turned up numerous emotional triggers, including frustration, depression, and anxiety, Schindler says. “And all of those go along with unemployment,” he adds.
So, what is it about job loss that might raise the risk of a heart attack?
“There are likely multiple mechanisms which link significant socioeconomic stress, including becoming unemployed, to an increased risk of cardiovascular events,” says Dr. Eliot Corday Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine and Science at the University of California, Los Angeles, Eliot Corday Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine and Science at the University of California, Los Angeles, and co-director of the UCLA preventive cardiology program. “These include sustained activation of the part of the nervous system involved with stress and stress-related hormones, decrements in heart healthy behaviors, avoiding preventive health visits and measures, and not seeking prompt medical attention when there are early warning signs.”
What the study shows, experts say, is that you need to pay extra attention to your heart in times of stress, such as job loss.
“My conclusion is that we should always be focused on our hearts since cardiovascular disease is potentially such a potentially deadly disease,” Schindler says. “But since we’re at greater risk the first year we lose a job, at that time we should be even more diligent about cardiovascular health.”
Future research could examine whether emotional support could help reduce risk.
“Whether the cardiovascular risk related to unemployment and multiple job losses could also be reduced by psychological support or enhanced social resources will require further study,” Fonarow says.
More from NBCNews.com health:
Heart attacks more deadly in winter -- but it's not the cold
'Broken heart' syndrome can be triggered by stress, grief
Leave a Comment:
People should use this article as an incentive to take better care of themselves. The days of working for one company your entire working-life are long gone. People are getting laid off right and left and will continue to do so. Forewarned is forearmed.
I think it depends really.
If you have heavy debts and obligations without much family support, then yeah it can break a person down.
If you have debts and obligations, with family support, it can be stressful, but not as stressful as the above, and can lead to boredom over a prolonged period which is stressful in itself.
If you are out of debt and have money saved up, not as stressful. Also depends on whether you're supporting yourself or a family. I can imagine being unemployed with mouths to feed being very stressful.
At the end of the day, it's just best to be out of debt so you are not worrying about owing anyone anything and compounding interest. On a side note, this study seems like a waste of time. Who's paying for someone to research common sense information? More importantly who's getting paid to do this? Wasted $$ in the economy.
Whilst sitting in the steam room today at the gym I happened to overhear a conversation between two retired gentlemen who spoke of all their fellow retirees who have died of heart attacks in the past year. Each and everyone had something in common with the rest, since retiring they had done nothing but watch Fox News 24/7 during the build-up to the election. Now I am not making this up, this was a real conversation between real people not 7 hours ago. The men having the conversation looked fit and healthy for their age and will probably live another 20 years if they are lucky. But their conservative countrerparts who consumed mass quantities of venom and bile via the rightwing hate machine that we have come to know as Fox Noise are all dead within just a few years of their retirement. Now not that I would ever wish anyone ill, even the spawn of Satan conservatives, but it seems that we liberals may win the war of good against evil simply by attrition because not only do the conservatives fill themselves with hate from watching Fox but they also eat large quatitiies of the food their conservative overlords sell them and that food, Chick-fil-a, papa johns pizza, Pink slime and monsanto's GMOs, is designed to be population control disguised as food. So a note to liberals, keep eating granola (non-gmo of course) and keep hugging those trees (as a stress reducer) and soon all the conservaitves will have magically vanished from the face of the earth as if they were "raptured" away and then we can live in peace and harmony for eternity.
When the Presidental administration started FREE TRADE, NAFTA, over Importation from CHINA they could care less about your heart attack, but you better keep paying yur Income Taxes or else, It makes me sick.
I was working as a mid level manager for a company that was doing well. Two days after I received the company gift basket for the holidays, I was called in and advised that my position had been eliminated. At 63 years old, I was planning on retiring in a few years, but that didn't take the sting out of being let go without warning. I didn't have a heart attack but my wife did. She's recovering now but job loss is traumatic regardless of the amount of preparation you might have made.
what about the welfare people that have been on it for YEARS. does it affect their health?
i mean other than making them fat. LOL
Hard work ethics, not desk job ethics is the answer to good health. Desk jobs isn't work.
You're probably under 50 and naive. If not, then you're probably in for a little reality check. Large Corporations today go for the 50+ people when layoffs are in the stars because they're making the most money. My job was "eliminated" when I was 57 and restructured and renamed after I was gone and couldn't reapply. It's very difficult to find any job when over 50, but especially if one was making over $100,000 annually. I apply for low level positions all the time, but rarely get responses. When I do, they say I'm over qualified. I'm going through my life savings with $2000/month healthcare insurance premiums and basic cost of living (luckily my house is paid for. Don't be so sure that you won't end up in the same boat.
I am talking about health. Hard laboring jobs are healthier than desk jobs was my point.
I think Michele was showing people about jumping jacks on TV, and about planting veg. gardens....wanna be careful, that bunch was his base you know, and don't want to offend anyone there.....they are however knocking 50.00 per month off of each food stamp recipient. That was just announced I think yesterday....that is before he is even sworn back in. I hope there isn't more to come for these people....they voted for him you know, got his vote...just a couple of weeks ago isn't it? They are moving fast....he isn't able to run for re election you know....he has been hiding his agenda!!!! It is about to come out!!!! per his words....."the best is yet to come"! Hope it all works out for everyone!
Suicides have increase by 3x's in the past 4 years.
"...will require further study,”
No worries about job loss here.
I didn't know Obama posted on this site. Thanks for the warning!
LOL..."Losing your job increases heart attack risk"
While busting your butt on the job..WILL GIVE YOU A HEART ATTACK!
Absolutely. Get healthy both mentally and physically and do everything you can education, financial wise, whatever you can to prepare or even plan to leave the dreadful life of a working stiff. My last firing was the greatest thing to happen to me because I was unhappy with my career and life, and that 6 months off on unemployment helped me change my life to one where I am my own boss now and doing something I love. BP, be prepared.
for whites, the problem is not really heart attack but murder suicide.
if you are a married white female, CAREFULLY OBSERVE YOUR WHITE HUSBAND!!!
especially in this economy.
hide the kids if you need to.
Nothing to increase your stress level like losing your health coverage at the same time you lost your job.
Why should health coverage be tied to your job? Crazy system.
Spot, try existing without the people who do the desk jobs. You'll find you're living in the 12th Century. People working at desk jobs are the ones who designed the hardware and software you're using to post here.
Spot, an additional comment. How long can a 56-year old bricklayer actually work productively? Hard physical labor also destroys the body.
See, if Romney would have won the Presidental race, he would have just fired everyone (he's supposedly good at that and also LIKES doing it), they would have had heart attacks and died and the unemployment rate would have gone down a lot. See, he really did have a plan to reduce unemployment.
sounds more like obama with his obamacare that going to kick in real soon. Talk to some good doctors
NorthernLights: You need to fill out your ID10TS form!!
Hate to break it to ya, but America is run by college educated individuals whos only concern like every one else, is for their own benefit. Let me know when someones going to create jobs just to make money for you...........
Your Romney comment really isn't that far off. Even though he was for universal health in Massachusetts he was dead set against nationalized health care of any kind and if he was elected most workers would of lost their insurance or it would of been drastically reduced. Thus causing true attrition by working stiffs laboring for lower wages and not having the money or benefits to stay healthy. Just as the republican health care plan was "get sick and die" their employment ideas were about the same thing. I'm no Obama fan being he is pro-war and pro-banks but at least workers rights will move forward some and maybe the next pres and congress will actually move to a "right to work" amendment where workers have most of the power. I'm so glad I'm out of the workforce world, humans were not made to work 50 hours a week for 40 years.
This doesn't surprise me one bit. The last time I lost a job I thought I was going to die on the spot! It's the absolute worst feeling in the world; it's like a death.
Do you ever lose the feeling that it was somehow your fault?
NO SH*T.
did we really need a study to know this ?
That's what I thought. Pretty much any stressful event can give you a heart attack. Being alive is one of the leading causes of heart attacks!
Much like marriage is the leading cause of divorce.
Means we'll see Nobamacare at it's finest next year, when hundreds of thousands are put (according to this lefty article) into hospital rooms from stress and heart attacks from this "economic recovery".
What a joke.
Sincerely,
A dis-satisfied customer and voter...
an obama-hating NASCAR fan....
what a surprise!!!
THE SOUTH WILL RISE AGAIN LOL!!!
Your side lost, deal with it. Or I should say get use to it.
Already am skippy. I am already used to the:
Lies,mistrust,dishonesty,broken promises,wasted money,failed programs,no "hope and change" as your lord and savior has promised but never delivered...
Yea, all of that...
Think before you post skippy...
Sincerely,
A dis-satisfied customer and voter...
Posting comments on Newsvine can get you fired, thus posting comments on Newsvine can kill you.
oh....are you a little poet or are you threatening people?
How was that in any way a threat?
They should change the title of this article to "Obama increases heart attack risk."
Exactly, As a direct result of the uninformed reelecting this jack ass, companies are closing their doors like never before! After Christmas, I firmly expect the unemployment rate to jump to over 50%!
Oh yes, how correct you are! Twinkies just added 18,000 to the unemployment rolls.....and more is a comin! Companies will be moving overseas, investors will not be investing here, they are already knocking 50.00 off of food stamp people....my goodness all that dancin, and caring on for obama.....hope it all works out for ya! Don't get upset now.........obama told you "the best is yet to come"......and just like change.....don't forget folks, socialists don't just come out and say....hey I am a socialist and I am going to change your country all around for ya.......they hide. Obama has been peeky booin out.....you just haven't caught on yet.
You could always move Sandy. You and Poolman1 . You are probably a communist anyway. -0
Think about how many would have heart attacks if Romney had won; trying to think up more excuses to stay unemployed. Now they don't have that problem; 4 more years of the good life for the 47% and their flower child supporters.
You are a racist. I'm a single white male and not afraid to call out people like you. Keep living in your bubble, it will be better then reality.
Of course joblessness is a risk.
But then again so is damn near everything else that life throws at you.
Hey, how about legalizing pot, so people can decompress?
That's a heart risk too? At least it doesn't feel like it.
I've lived in a couple of countries, in Europe, South and Central America. The USA is the ONLY country I've known where you can be fired for no reason. Other countries require legally valid reasons to fire any workers.
If I own a business and I want to fire you, why do I need a reason?
You don't of course unless you have a collective bargaining agreement or internal policies that require it. Of course deceny is not a part of either of these issues.
well, soon people won't really have to worry about that sort of thing....your government will most likely help you out in that dept., now did you vote for obama? Valerie Jarett stated that those that didn't will pay....so I am hoping that you voted for him. Walmart contributed to the Rep party......I heard today on the news that Obama doesn't like Walmart. Valerie is from Iran, lives in the WH and calls the shots....did you know that?
You must have a reason if you want to fire someone, even if it is to say you just felt like it. That's a reason.
Of course, with your logic, it explains how Republicans ruined this country financially and why they couldn't find a candidate who could explain why he should be elected president. :-)
By the end of the second Obama term that will no longer be an issue as "the right to work" and other pro-worker issues will be law. It's the end of conservatism and the corporate rule, in a sense. Both sides have corporations and banks backing them, but the dems idea of what is right is much different then the republicans. Both parties are similar on many issues but on the economy and jobs they are night and day.
Here in Florida, Orlando hospital to lay off up to 400 employees for first time in 100 years that many. This is because of obamadeathcare. Hey libs, you asked for it.
Oh well......hope they are all still boogie booin, high fiven, smilen, swingin their heads and waggin those fingers now.....they got their man.....the state of Florida wanted Obama....enjoy!
w00t!
WE WON! WE WON!
Obama RULES and Republicans DROOL!
Hey VLGil, ALL those layoffs are directed at management and administrative, not nurses or doctors. This needs to be done in order to make our health care system more lean and productive to make way for nationalized health care. Which will come one day. All those jobs are unnecessary and are a big reason why medical costs are so high. Educate yourself. And you forgot to mention they are still moving forward with their 300 million dollar expansion. It's about preparing for the future.
Sandy Cat
I see we appear to have a new racist troll here.
Oh well, when obama care kicks in you can all go and take care of your heart issues. If your too old however, you have to wait for the panel to decide if a procedure is going to be acceptable for you. I don't know, if they look at your income, taxes, where you live, how much you own......they know quite a bit about us....Obama reads 15 letters per day maybe if you send him one, yours will be chosen and you can ask that question. Nancy said we would all have to wait to see what is in it.....so hang on!
oh...so sad... you know, with Obamacare, you can get treatment for your delusions.
Life, it will killl you.
Who's worried about losing a job? We elected BO. We don't have to work for a living. It's the land of milk and honey. I can't believe this is even an issue. Next article, please.
Being fired at 61 after a great review with both bonus based on performance and a raise and then 90 days later fired after many many years with the company and all good reviews not only is stressful but certainly contributes to health issues-can't get another job, in debt due to taking care of parents health care costs and then having to file an EEOC -the "young" lady that sort of replaced me can't do the work, but she is cute and in her 20's, and the corporation is solvent-financially stable and I helped grow it---at the end-fired because in Michigan than can. Employers should just shoot you and get it over with--it would end the suffering in a more humane way----
I am sorry to hear about his, Kane. And I'm sure you know that that "young" lady was hired because she'll take less pay than your salary and they won't have to pay your retirement benefits in a couple of years. What it comes down to is greed by the top brass at your ex-company, and this is really the root of the problems our country faces today. Those CEO's and top managers don't want to sacrifice their salaries and benefits and bonuses--it was easier to sacrifice you. And it wasn't right. Connecticut has a 'terminate at will' law but I have yet to meet an employer willing to act on it due to a potential lawsuit.
I wish you luck in your search for employment; perhaps you will be entrepreneurial enough to create your own business, maybe turn a hobby into a cash cow-- there are federal grants out there that might help you in this direction.
Charle7834 - you forgot to mention the CEO's golden parachute even if they drive the companies to the ground. The regular folks like you and I bear the grunt of it by being laid off. Kane, good luck. What goes around comes around. For the cute 20 year-old, her time will be up much sooner before yours. It will just be worse for future generations until employers figure out that you need to value still productive employees and not only get rid of them as soon as they hit a certain age. Wishful thinking on my part perhaps? Maybe those who orchestrate manuevers like these will find themselves on the receiving end some day, if no by the companies they work for, maybe by their own families.
Another study conducted by an overeducated idiot. Did s/he need a PhD for this? Jesus, we waste so much time on things that are so obvious.
And don't forget Federally Funded. This is why your kids go to a name brand college to study under Professor Hoosifritz who hasn't seen the inside of a classroom in decades, so your kids spend all their time and your money in his classes being taught by some Grad Student, while Professor Hoosifritz is Mentally Masturbating and cranking out this garbage to Peer Review.
With only 30 months to go to retirement and being shown the door, that is a shot in the fuel pump. So if I turn gills up can my wife file a Wrongful Death Suite? I know, I won't be around for the payoff but some lucky stiff will get a frisky rich widow.
No Sh*t! How much money was spent doing this study?
not to worry about how much this survey cost.
government pays for it with YOUR tax money.LOL
I had a heart attack at work during the Bush administration. Work and politics will kill you especially if your a hot-headed conservative. I think more republicans will die from high blood pressure because they can't control their anger and they're always riled up a bitching about how the world isn't run their way.
Promise?
The fact that we will have four more years of the giant talking head is enought to give any man a heart attack, and drive the teetotaller to drink...
Staying in an abusive work environment is also bad for the employee's health. It's better to put up with short-term unemployment and/or temp work than to stay in a toxic workplace with toxic people. This researcher might look into the high costs of medical care for unhappy employees.
The problem there is that if you're over 50 "short-term unemployment" can mean "until you die."
And who is to say that death is the worst thing in the world? Not that I condone it, but there are a lot of miserable people in this world and for some people death is a welcome event. Life is a pain in the ass a lot of the time and most things we encounter an inherently disappointing including friends, loved ones and family. IMO if they had told us how @!$%#ty life was going to get as an adult most of us would have opted out before childhood ended.
Many people who have had near deatht experiences say the act of dying isn't unpleasant at all but a peaceful letting go of earthly worries and cares.
You should seek help.
Reading this article, I felt like screaming out a big "DUH". So they figured out a connection between heart attacks and unemployment? Oh puhleeeze!
so is working your ass off every day only to watch the gubmint take a 1/3 of your money to redistribute it to lazy parasite f*cks.
Then have your heart attack now. Why wait?
You'll be better off, and so will we.
I'm on the dole now thx to your boy bush jr. He won't get fooled again. Come on people. Burn in hell bush.
The burning Bush....? Now that's funny....!
death, a perminate solution to a temporary problem!