Losing One’s Job Raises Heart Attack Risk

Whereas employment instability is a major source of strain affecting an increasing number of adults in the United States, little is known about the cumulative effect of multiple job losses and unemployment on the risks for acute myocardial infarction (AMI).  Matthew E. Dupre, from Duke University (North Carolina, USA), and colleagues analyzed data collected from  13,451 participants in the Health and Retirement Study, median age 62 years.  The risks for AMI were significantly higher among the unemployed, with the risks increasing incrementally from one job loss to four or more cumulative job losses, and were elevated within the first year of unemployment.  The study authors warn that: “Unemployment status, multiple job losses, and short periods without work are all significant risk factors for acute cardiovascular events.”