Do you work hard? Too hard? What might follow ...

Photo by hiroo yamagata via Flickr

I work. A lot. As in gathering unused vacation time and such. Technology makes that so much more tempting.

But I might take advantage of more time off after hearing the news about how long work hours may increase risk for stroke:

As technology now allows us to work anywhere and anytime, thereby extending our normal working hours, it becomes more important to maintain a balance in life.

In fact, those long days that turn into nights in the office may not be good for you in the long run, and may actually increase your risk for stroke, according to results of a new study published in the Lancet.

Researchers in the study combined the results (published and some unpublished) of 25 observational studies that involved over 530,000 patients who did not have any history of stroke, along with over 600,000 who did not have any previous history of coronary artery disease. Over a period of 7-8 years of follow up, they noted 1,700 strokes and 4,800 heart attacks.

So many of us are encouraged to put in these extra hours and work too hard. Something to reconsider.