Do you usually find yourself tied to the office even after working hours? If you rarely experience the evening rush hour because you usually leave way past it, you should take it easy, as working long hours may affect your health in the long run.

Forbes.com reports new research showing that careers that push employees to work for more than eight hours a day may cause high blood pressure levels and unhealthy eating habits, which can later lead to severe diseases. Originally published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, the study gathered data from 12 other studies conducted since 1958, including a total of more than 22,000 participants from Japan, USA, Denmark, Sweden, UK, Finland, and the Netherlands. The latest findings from Britain also show that working for more than 11 hours a day increases a person's risk of developing heart problems.

“There are several potential mechanisms that may underlie the association between long working hours and heart disease,” lead researcher Dr. Marianna Virtanen and her team are quoted as saying. "One is prolonged exposure to psychological stress."

So before you file for another evening of overtime, ask yourself if it's really necessary. Remember that your health is more important than the unchecked items on your to-do list.

(Photo by steve lau via Flickr Creative Commons)