The Role of Job-Related Stress and Burnout in Increasing Heart Attack Risk Among Young  Professionals

Objective: This study explored the relationship between job-related stress, burnout, and heart attack risk among young professionals aged 25 to 40 across various industries, including corporate, healthcare, education, and technology. Study Design: A cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the Al-Tibri Medical College and Hospital, Karachi during June 2023 to June 2024. Methods: A cross-sectional design was employed, with a sample size of 240 participants. Data were collected using structured questionnaires that assessed job-related stress through the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), burnout using the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), and medical history regarding heart attacks. Results: The results indicated that 50% of participants reported high levels of job-related stress, while a similar percentage experienced high emotional exhaustion, a core dimension of burnout. Correlation analysis revealed significant positive relationships between job-related stress (r = 0.35, p < 0.01) and burnout (r = 0.40, p < 0.01) with heart attack risk. Conclusion: The findings highlight the urgent need for interventions aimed at mitigating stress and burnout among young professionals to reduce the associated cardiovascular risks.