(CBS/AP) Men aren't the only ones who can get a heart attack from a stressful job.
Women with high levels of job stress are 40 percent more likely to suffer a heart attack or stroke or die from cardiovascular disease, compared with women with less stressful jobs, a major study shows.
Job strain is defined as having a demanding job but little or no decision-making power or opportunities to use creative skills.
The study also found the fear of losing one's livelihood was linked to risk factors for cardiovascular disease, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and excess body weight.
Boston researchers analyzed job strain in more than 17,000 healthy female health professionals who took part in the landmark Women's Health Study.
The findings were to be presented today at the American Heart Association's annual meeting in Chicago.
Dr. Andrew Pipe of the University of Ottawa Heart Institute says intense or prolonged stress causes the release of stress hormones that can affect heart rate and blood pressure.
He says the ways some people deal with stress - such as smoking or seeking solace in food - can make the problem worse.
