A recent Canadian study, as reported in the American Journal of Public Health, found that chronic job stress raises blood pressure. The study followed more than 6,719 white-collar workers for 7.5 years and found that those with high job demands and low levels of social support in the office tended to have higher blood pressure than other workers.

Previous studies have also found a link between cardiovascular problems and job strain — which is typically defined as work with high psychological demands, but with little independence or decision-making authority.

The doctors behind the Canadian study suggested that employers give workers more support or more say in how they accomplish their tasks, loosen up deadline pressure, or offer more chances for learning and growth.