The purpose of this study was to examine the link between work-related stre
ss and early atherosclerosis as measured by common carotid artery intima-me
dia thickness and focal lesions in the common carotid artery and bifurcatio
n. Four hundred sixty-seven members of an occupational cohort (total N = 57
3) were examined via questionnaires and B-mode ultrasound. We used multiple
linear and logistic models to regress lesion risk and intima-media thickne
ss on work-related stress scores from a questionnaire administered at an 18
month follow-up examination. In an age-adjusted model, the prevalence of c
arotid lesions among men scoring in the highest stress quintile was 36% com
pared with 21% among men in the lowest quintile. We also observed an increa
se in intima-media thickness in the highest quintile relative to the lowest
(difference = 0,048 +/- 0.025 mm) among men. Among women, stress was not r
elated to the prevalence of lesions or intima-media thickness. These findin
gs suggest that men with greater work-related stress are at increased risk
for atherosclerotic disease. Women in this age group may be protected from
such effects, or current work-place questionnaires may not accurately asses
s stress in women.