By Suzanne Rostler

NEW YORK, Mar 13 (Reuters Health) - Women who work in clerical jobs may be at increased risk of heart disease, new study findings suggest.

The study of 491 middle-aged women found that clerical workers were more likely to have fatty build-up in their carotid arteries--the arteries that carry blood to the head--than women who worked in blue-collar and white-collar jobs, and those who did not work. Carotid artery disease is considered an indicator of risk for heart disease and stroke.

While it is not clear why clerical jobs seem to increase heart disease risk, behavioral factors may offer clues, Linda Gallo from Kent University in Ohio and the study's lead author, said in an interview.

Clerical workers, for instance, were more likely to lead a sedentary lifestyle outside of work and carry excess body weight. They were also less likely to take hormone replacement therapy, which has been shown to reduce a woman's risk of developing heart disease.

Psychological factors are also increasingly recognized as playing a significant role in heart disease. For example, other studies have shown that people who work in high-pressure jobs with little control over their work or deadlines may be at increased risk of heart disease. At least one study recently found that not having much say at work, coupled with a high workload, increases the risk of job strain and depression.

A sense of control may allow women to cope with demands and stress, Gallo explained.

She recommended that women who work in administrative support-type positions try to take a walk during lunch, take the stairs instead of the elevator when possible, and try to exercise during leisure time.

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