Marital Stress, Job Stress, Double Whammy

Posting Date: 05/21/2004

?Job strain was significantly associated with higher 24 hour systolic blood pressure compared to those without job strain, resulting in an average 5 mm Hg elevation in blood pressure,? Dr. Tobe said. ?This effect to raise blood pressure was seen during work hours but was not as prominent when in the company of the spouse or during sleep.?

Systolic blood pressure, the first of the two blood pressure readings, is the measurement of pressure in blood vessels when the heart is pumping. Systolic blood pressure increases as people age and becomes a major risk factor for heart attacks and strokes. Diastolic pressure, the second reading, is the measurement

of pressure in blood vessels when the heart is at rest.

Dr. Tobe noted that other factors also linked to higher systolic blood pressure included older age, a higher body mass index and not exercising regularly.

?When in the company of the spouse, consuming more than 10 drinks of alcohol a week was a prominent factor in raising blood pressure,? he said. ?This was associated with a 3.68 mm Hg elevation of systolic blood pressure during spousal contact.

?Excessive alcohol consumption was related to higher blood pressure during spousal contact, Dr. Tobe concluded. ?The impact of marital factors as well as job strain on blood pressure will be further examined in the one year follow-up of the Double Exposure study, which concludes in June 2004.?

The American Society of Hypertension (ASH) is the largest US organization devoted exclusively to hypertension and related cardiovascular diseases. ASH is committed to alerting physicians, allied health professionals and the public about new medical options, facts, research findings and treatment choices designed to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.

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