Crossover effect of spouse weekly working hours on estimated 10-years risk of cardiovascular disease

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the association between spouse weekly working hours (SWWH) and the estimated 10-years risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). METHODS: This cross-sectional study was based on the data obtained from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2007–2012. Data of 16,917 participants (8,330 husbands, 8,587 wives) were used for this analysis. The participants’ clinical data were collected to estimate the 10-years risk of CVD, as well as weekly working hours. Multiple logistic regression was conducted to investigate the association between SWWH and the estimated 10-years risk of CVD. We also performed a stratified analysis according to each participant’s and their spouse’s employment status. RESULTS: Compared to those whose spouses worked 30 hours per week, estimated 10-years risk of CVD was significantly higher as SWWH increase among those whose spouses worked >30 hours per week. After adjusting for covariates, the odds ratio for high CVD risk was found to increase as SWWH increased, up to 2.52 among husbands and 2.43 among wives. We also found that the association between SWWH and the estimated 10-years risk of CVD varied according to the employment status. Analysis of each component included in the CVD appraisal model showed that SWWH had close relationship with diabetes in men, and smoking habits in women. CONCLUSIONS: Spouse’s long working hours are associated with individual’s risk of CVD in future, especially among husbands.