Study reveals work-life stress affects women’s hearts more than men

Over the past 40 years, the rate of working moms has significantly increased. At the same time, new research by the American Heart Association reveals balancing a heavy workload along with the demands of family life may negatively affect women’s heart health. Among those effects are a higher risk of heart disease, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

Additionally, the study found more than one in three U.S. women lives with some form of cardiovascular disease. The good news, though, is that there’s hope––the more a woman knows about heart disease, the better her chances of preventing it.

Although eliminating all stress from work and home life may be difficult, a cardiologist at Heart Hospital of Austin said simple lifestyle changes can help.

“High-stress situations can negatively impact heart health,” Dr. Deborah Ekery, cardiologist at Heart Hospital of Austin, said. “But lifestyle changes can help reduce stress and, therefore, improve overall heart health. Exercising and consuming a heart-healthy diet are great ways to ease stress and reduce cardiovascular risk.”

For more information on services provided at Heart Hospital of Austin, please visit the St. David's HealthCare website.

KXAN-TV recently interviewed Dr. Ekery, cardiologist at Heart Hospital of Austin, on the topic.