Hemodynamic Responses to Simulated Long Working Hours in Older Men

Abstract

Long working hours are considered to be associated with increases in cerebrovascular and cardiovascular diseases such as stroke and coronary heart disease, and are also important factors for karoshi. To maintain the health of workers and reduce karoshi, it is necessary to clarify the cardiovascular burden caused by long working hours. In recent years, older workers are increasing and the number of claims for karoshi is also increasing in the 60s and above. Aging is a risk factor for many diseases, but the actual cardiovascular burden caused by long working hours in older workers is unclear. We have reported the results from 30s to 50s, and this article reports the reanalysis results including the 60s (under 65 years old). The experiments were conducted from 9:00 to 22:00, the cardiovascular responses were measured at baseline and all task sessions for 13 times. As results, systolic blood pressure were significantly higher in the 50s and 60s than in the 30s, stroke volume was lower in the 60s than in the 30s. In conclusion, older workers suffer more cardiovascular burden due to long working hours than younger workers and require special attention when long working hours are unavoidable.