Being a waiter or waitress is bad for health and raises the risk of suffering a stroke, according to a new scientific study.
Researchers in China found that low-paid jobs with a high workload, such as waitressing, leave employees at far greater risk from heart problems and 58% more likely to suffer an ischemic stroke – the most common type of stroke, which is caused by a blockage of blood flow.
Professions that might typically be associated with high levels of stress, such as neurosurgeons and stockbrokers, are comparatively less at risk, reported The Telegraph.
Scientists and architects seemed to be the least stressed professionals, and therefore at no extra risk of heart problems.
The scientists behind the study believe that people who experience high levels of stress at work are less likely to look after themselves and often resort to drinking and smoking. Many are also forced to work disruptive shift patterns which have been linked to cancer and poor health.
“Having a lot of job stress has been linked to heart disease, but studies on job stress and stroke have shown inconsistent results,” said Dingli Xu, MD, with Southern Medical University in Guangzhou, China.
“It’s possible that high-stress jobs lead to more unhealthy behaviours, such as poor eating habits, smoking and a lack of exercise.”
Scientists say stress in a job is largely dependent on feeling in control and respected. While doctors, teachers and other professionals may have mentally taxing jobs, they feel empowered and so do not become as stressed.
In contrast, those in jobs in the service industry are often vulnerable to the whims of customers and management, and they often work long, unsociable hours to serve workers after the usual 9am to 5pm working day.