The docs: Taking your job to heart

In season five of “The Office,” Dwight Schrute (Rainn Wilson) stages what he hopes will be a more compelling fire drill by setting the office on fire. This causes easygoing paper salesman Stanley Hudson (Leslie David Baker) to have a heart attack.

That may seem like a far-fetched (and felonious) example of workplace-related heart attacks, but your work can be hard on your heart. Researchers from U.S. Public Health Service recently presented data at the American Heart Association’s Epidemiology/Lifestyle 2016 meeting, revealing:

--79 percent of food preparation/serving employees had a poor-quality diet (ironic!).

--90 percent of protective service workers (police, e.g.) were overweight or obese; 77 percent had undertreated or untreated elevated total cholesterol; and 35 percent had undertreated or untreated high blood pressure.

--69 percent of salespeople, including office and administrative-support employees, had undertreated or untreated elevated total cholesterol.

--82 percent of office workers didn’t get minimum levels of physical activity.

Where and how you spend 40-plus hours a week has a huge influence on your health. So here are 5 ways to dodge the heart hazards of your workplace:

1. Eliminate red meats, processed meats and egg yolks; eat healthy proteins (skinless chicken, beans, fish) and nine servings of fruits and veggies daily.

2. Stand up every 30 minutes, and walk 10,000 steps daily.

3. Meditate 10 minutes daily.

4. Get 7-8 hours of sleep nightly.

5. Ask your employer to invest in employee health programs (insurance cost reductions for healthy numbers; better vending options; rebates for gym membership, etc.).

Mehmet Oz, M.D. is host of “The Dr. Oz Show,” and Mike Roizen, M.D. is Chief Wellness Officer and Chair of Wellness Institute at Cleveland Clinic. To live your healthiest, tune into “The Dr. Oz Show” or visit www.sharecare.com.

This story was originally published March 30, 2016 at 5:03 PM with the headline "The docs: Taking your job to heart."