20.01.2011, 12:48 7576

Stress of household chores is bad for your heart

The study reveals doing household chores stress more than being at work, the agency reports.

Almaty. January 20. Kazakhstan Today - The study reveals doing household chores stress more than being at work, the agency reports.

Looking after your home is more stressful than being at work, The Telegraph reports.

New research shows worrying about household chores such as cleaning, getting the car serviced and paying the bills may be even worse for your heart.

Scientists in the US tested over 100 working men and women and found those who took on most of the responsibility for running the home had significantly higher blood pressure readings than those who left it to their partners.

The findings, published in the journal Psychosomatic Medicine, suggest it's not the workload itself but the stress about how to cope with it that causes the damage.

The strongest link with high blood pressure came from worries over how to get domestic chores done, such as cleaning, cooking and shopping.

Next came car maintenance and repair, paying the bills and keeping on top of the household budget.

But having to look after children or pets had no adverse effect on blood pressure.

Although there have been hundreds of studies investigating the links between stress at work and the risk of heart attacks and strokes, little research has been done into whether running a home and family has a similar effect.

The results of the study showed those taking on most of the responsibility at home, primarily women, were at greater risk of high blood pressure.

Poorer families were more likely to be affected than better off ones.

Although some research suggests vigorous housework may be good for the heart, researchers believe the repetitive nature of cleaning, for example, may add to stress-related blood pressure problems rather than alleviate them.

In a report on their findings they said: "The perceived responsibility for household tasks, rather than the time spent doing those tasks, is what's most distressing."

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