A study in the European Heart Journal (published online on Jan 23, 2008, http://eurheartj.oxfordjournals.org/) suggests that the body changes as a result of long-term exposure to a stressful environment.
Researchers followed 10,000 British workers between the ages of 35 and 55 beginning in 1985. Workers who reported high levels of stress in the work place experienced a 68 percent greater risk of developing heart disease, compared to workers reporting less stress. Physical effects of stress reported included changes in heart beat, elevated levels of cortisol, and heart disease. They concluded that “Work stress may be an important determinant of coronary heart disease amoung working-age populations….”
Those providing in-home care for elderly loved ones, may be particularily at risk. It’s difficult being a responsible, full-time caregiver. Without occaisional respite, exhaustion may set in – and it is the caregiver that now needs care. This must be prevented!
One solution is to find a senior day care center where loved ones can spend daytime hours – lowering caregiver stress and providing time for rest, running errands, etc.
Posted by Gary 
