The Silent Rhythm of Workplace Stress

Your heart beats suddenly, pounding in your chest. You hear the flapping sound, its irregular beating. Shortness of breath follows, accompanied by weakness and fatigue. These aren’t just symptoms of a stressful day at the office—they could be symptoms of atrial fibrillation (AFib), a heart condition that new research suggests may be linked to our work lifestyle.

Consider Jay King, an Abbott engineer with more than 16 years of experience in high-level operations. From neuroimaging to specialized projects for rapid diagnostic testing, Jay’s work is similar to that of many professionals who run today’s business intelligence environment. In 2020, he even played a key role in developing Abbott’s COVID-19 test. However, despite his active lifestyle, a routine exercise revealed an unexpected diagnosis: Jay had AFib.

New Research Reveals Workplace-AFib Connection

A recent 18-year study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association sheds light on why professionals like Jay may be at risk. Research, led by Canadian researchers and published last week in Journal of the American Heart Associationexamined the relationship between occupational stress and the incidence of AFib among nearly 6,000 white-collar workers.

The results are interesting:

• Workers exposed to high job stress (high demands combined with low control) had an 83% increased risk of developing AFib.
• Those with a pay imbalance at work (high effort with low attention or compensation) face a 44% higher risk.
• People exposed to both stress had a nearly double risk of AFib compared to their non-stressful counterparts.

But what exactly is AFib? It is the most common type of heart arrhythmia, affecting 1 in 4 middle-aged people in their lifetime. During AFib, the upper chambers of the heart beat chaotically and irregularly, due to interaction with the lower chambers. This can lead to anemia, stroke, heart failure, and other heart-related problems.

The study’s findings shed light on how our modern workplaces may contribute to this health risk. Long hours, high stress periods, constant communication, and blurring of work-life boundaries are all symptoms of many bad jobs. These factors can create a perfect storm for chronic stress, which can set the stage for heart issues like AFib.

The Detoxing System: A Heart-Healthy Approach

This research highlights the critical need for what I call a “detoxing system.” It’s not just about production anymore; is to create working conditions that do not endanger our health. Managers and organizational leaders have an important role to play in mitigating these risks.

Although the link between workplace stress and AFib risk is tentative, there are immediate steps managers and employees can take to create healthy workplace conditions. My heart attack last year sparked a deep interest in the relationship between work and heart health. This personal experience, combined with my work in the detoxing system, inspired me to develop the RISE Framework for Healthy Leadership, which provides guidance that can be invaluable in light of this new research:

1. Repeat: Managers need to know their team members as individuals. Understanding an individual’s strengths and how to best contribute can reduce stress and increase job satisfaction.
2. Encourage: Strengthen a sense of purpose in your team’s work. When employees believe in the value of their efforts, it can make working hard feel more rewarding than exhausting.
3. Simplify: Clear expectations and priorities can reduce stress at work. Conflicting demands are often more stressful than hard work itself.
4. Strengthen: Give employees a sense of control over their work. This facility can act as a buffer against the negative effects of work stress.

By applying these principles, leaders can create work environments that are not only productive but also healthy for the hearts of employees.

The results of this research go far beyond the individual. They challenge us to re-evaluate our work culture and management practices. As we strive for success in our careers, we must also prioritize creating an environment that supports our health and well-being.

Awareness is the first step. By recognizing the potential health effects of workplace stress, we can begin to make informed decisions—both as people who manage our jobs and as leaders who shape our organizations. The rhythm of our work life should not come at the cost of the rhythm of our heart. It’s time to listen carefully to what our bodies are telling us about our work, and create workplaces that work well for our health.