Employees who regularly work more than 60 hours a week (and consequently sleep less) can more than double their risk of a heart attack, according to new research published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.
A Japanese research study ensured that confounding factors such as obesity, high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels did not influence study results. Reasons for the higher risk are not fully understood, but sharp increases in blood pressure caused by long hours, compounded by lack of sleep, could trigger an attack.