Japanese researchers reported in the American Heart Association (AHA) journal Stroke that job loss may lead to an increased risk of stroke and a new job also increased the risk of stroke.
The researchers compared continuously employed participants to unemployed and re-employed Japanese workers. While the results of the study show that the unemployed and re-employed workers have an increased risk of stroke, it may not be applicable to U.S. workers. Male Japanese workers are in a "life-term employment system," where employees usually stay in that job for their entire career.
“If they lose that job, they are likely to be re-employed in unsatisfactory, lower positions,” Dr. Ehab S. Eshak, lead study author and Osaka University visiting associate professor, said in a posting on the AHA website.
Employees who were unemployed at least once had an increased risk of strokes caused by blood clots or bleeds. Re-employed men also had an increased incidence of strokes, however, women did not, the posting said. Both men and women who were continuously unemployed also showed a higher risk of dying from stroke.
“The main implication is that job security during the most productive work ages could help reduce stroke risk,” Dr. Hiroyasu Iso, study co-author and Osaka University professor, said in the posting. “Those who do suffer a job loss need help in rejoining the labor market in an appropriate career.”
