As if tech workers didn't have enough to worry about, now there's a study claiming people who work in high-tech industries are 50% more likely to develop heart disease than those working in other sectors. The research, conducted by the Taiwan Society of Lipids and Atherosclerosis, cites stress and long work hours as the primary reasons.
Researchers also discovered that the number of people with abnormally high levels of lipids in their bloodstreams was three times higher than is found in the general population.
Taiwan's Society Secretary-General Ho Yi-lwun says, "Of those surveyed who were more than 40 years old, 30 percent had abnormal levels of lipids in their blood, 53 percent were overweight and 24 percent were classed as obese."
Of course, the smart way to combat elevated cholesterol, high lipid values, and other health issues that lead to heart disease is to maintain a good diet and get plenty of exercise -- something that's easier said than done.
It's not difficult to brown-bag your lunch every day or tote some healthy snacks in your laptop bag. When you're on call 24/7, squeezing time for exercise is a bit more of a challenge. Consider biking or walking to work instead of driving, if that's an option. Once you're at your desk, keep a mini-stepper or pedal exerciser by your feet. For an overall mini-workout, give MSNBC's desk workout a try.
What about you? What are your top tops for keeping in shape, despite a hectic or stressful work pace?
