Work long hours? Stay in shape to lower risk of heart disease

Working long hours increases the risk of dying from heart disease but staying in shape can eliminate that risk, according to a new study.

"Those working more than 45 hours a week had two times the risk of cardiovascular mortality compared to those working normal hours, less than 40 hours per week," said lead study author Andreas Holtermann. If you are in good shape and you work out, than working long hours does not change your risk level.

Working additional hours stresses the cardiovascular system and boosts the nervous system causing your heart rate and blood pressure to elevate, according to the study. But if you're fit, your body recovers faster and the physiological stress from working those long days is reduced, the research showed.

So if you are working long hours, your risk of dying of heart disease can come down to whether you are getting enough exercise.