Latest news with #KimberlyNarain
Time of India
4 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
SHOCKING! Experts observe THIS link between working women and heart attacks
A recent UCLA study reveals that self-employed women exhibit fewer cardiovascular disease risk factors compared to salaried women. Analyzing data from the NHANES, researchers found self-employed women, particularly women of color, experienced significant declines in obesity, physical inactivity, poor diet, and sleep duration. These findings underscore the impact of work environment on women's heart health. Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death globally, with cardiovascular diseases accounting for 17.9 million deaths worldwide in 2023. Of these, a staggering 85% were attributed to heart attacks and strokes. A recent study has now shown that the risk of heart attack varies in women based on their employment status. A recent study, conducted by researchers at UCLA, found that self-employed women have fewer risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) compared to their salaried counterparts. Women and heart health The researchers analyzed data from 19,400 working adults who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Unlike many previous studies that relied primarily on self-reported health data, this research incorporated biological and physical measurements, such as cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and glucose tolerance, which provide more reliable indicators of cardiovascular health. They also looked at the association between self-employment and CVD risk factors that included elevated cholesterol, hypertension, glucose intolerance, obesity, poor diet, physical inactivity, smoking, binge drinking, sub-optimal sleep duration, and poor mental health. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Though the findings showed some positive associations between health outcomes and self-employment among white men, the researchers found women had the most favourable CVD risk profile associated with being self-employed, possibly because they are more likely than men to experience stress and time demands related to balancing responsibilities across work and home. The researchers also found that self-employed women had cardiovascular risk profile than salaried women. This was especially pronounced among women of color. However, self-employed. Compared to their non-self-employed peers, self-employed white women experienced: A 7.4 percentage point decline in obesity A 7.0 percentage point decline in physical inactivity A 9.4 percentage point decline in poor sleep duration Also, self-employed women of color showed improvements in other important areas: A 6.7 percentage point decline in poor diet A 7.3 percentage point decline in physical inactivity An 8.1 percentage point decline in poor sleep duration What are the experts saying Dr. Kimberly Narain, the lead author, said, 'There is a relationship between self-employment and heart disease risk factors and this relationship seems to be stronger in women relative to men. It is imperative to increase our understanding of how the work environment gets under our skin so we can come up with ways to ensure that everyone has access to a healthy work environment.' Previous studies have shown an association between the structure of employment and cardiovascular disease risk. For instance, high-strain jobs with higher psychological demands and less autonomy have been linked with hypertension and CVD. One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
This Type Of Work May Lower Heart Attack Risk For Women, Says New Study
A new study suggests that being self-employed can have an impact on your heart health. Specifically, it can help improve cardiovascular risk factors like obesity, sleep, and activity. Experts have a few theories why this might be, including lower stress and greater freedom to follow a healthy lifestyle. We all know there are a lot of factors that can influence your heart health, from what you eat to your family history, but new research suggests that your work environment might actually have a big influence how likely women are to develop cardiovascular disease. The findings, which are published in the journal BMC Public Health, suggest that being self-employed can have a noticeable influence on factors that lead to your risk of heart attack, stroke, and more. Right now, the study only establishes an association—so don't quit your day job and strike out on your own based purely on these findings. But they do raise a lot of questions about how your workplace can impact your heart and overall health. Here's what the research suggests, plus what doctors want you to keep in mind about the fascinating findings. Meet the experts: Jennifer Wong, MD, cardiologist and medical director of Non-Invasive Cardiology at MemorialCare Heart and Vascular Institute at Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, CA; Kimberly Narain, MD, MPH, PhD, lead study author assistant professor-in-residence of medicine in the division of general internal medicine and health services research at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. Yanting Wang, MD, an associate professor at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and director or the Women's Heart Program and Cardio-Obstetrics Program at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital. For the study, researchers analyzed data from 19,400 working adults who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). The researchers crunched the data to look at the link between being self-employed and having cardiovascular risk factors like high cholesterol, high blood pressure, glucose intolerance, obesity, poor diet, physical inactivity, smoking, binge drinking, sub-optimal sleep duration, and poor mental health. Researchers discovered lower rates of certain cardiovascular risk factors between people who were self-employed and those who were salaried. White women who were self-employed had a 7.4 percent lower risk of obesity, 7 percent lower risk of being physically inactive, and 9.4 percent drop in having poor sleep. The change in risk was slightly different for self-employed women of color. These women had a 6.7 percent lower risk of having a poor diet, 7.3 percent lower risk of being physically inactive, and 8.1 percent lower risk of getting poor sleep. Self-employed white men also saw a drop in certain factors, although it wasn't as noticeable. (Minority men didn't see the same benefits.) The study didn't explore this exact question beyond just finding a link, but there are a few theories, according to Kimberly Narain, MD, MPH, PhD, lead study author assistant professor-in-residence of medicine in the division of general internal medicine and health services research at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. One is that women who are self-employed may be able to dictate their work schedule more and have less stress as a result, she says. Self-employed women with more free time may possibly have 'less perceived stress compared to women with less autonomy,' says Jennifer Wong, MD, cardiologist and medical director of Non-Invasive Cardiology at MemorialCare Heart and Vascular Institute at Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, CA. (Chronic stress is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease on its own, but it can also raise the risk of developing other factors that contribute to the condition, like obesity or trouble sleeping.) Women also tend to be caregivers and as such, have more responsibilities at home, Dr. Narain points out. 'When you're trying to combine that high level of demand and employment that doesn't have autonomy and flexibility, it can be stressful,' she says. 'It can potentially manifest in higher levels of blood pressure and less sleep.' Unfortunately, both of those raise your risk for cardiovascular disease. Women who are self-employed may have greater freedom to take on healthy lifestyle habits, like being more physically active and making medical appointments to stay on top of their health, says Yanting Wang, MD, an associate professor at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and director or the Women's Heart Program and Cardio-Obstetrics Program at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital. Finally, Dr. Narain says that self-employed women may not have to deal with micro-aggressions that can happen in the workplace—and that can also lower stress. Dr. Narain says the findings suggest that your work environment can have an impact on your cardiovascular health. 'We really need to be thinking about the meaning people get from their work and what that may mean for their health outcomes,' she says. But Dr. Wong says the study also stresses the importance of taking care of your health, no matter what your job is. 'In any job, women should try to take the time to optimize their cardiovascular health focusing on a heart healthy diet, exercise, and adequate sleep,' she says. You Might Also Like Jennifer Garner Swears By This Retinol Eye Cream These New Kicks Will Help You Smash Your Cross-Training Goals
