It is strikingly common for people in managerial positions to die of a heart attack or stroke between the ages of 55 and 60. This is often due to a stressful lifestyle and the resulting mental and physical problems. Because work is considered the trigger of this in this case, this form of the disease is called managerial disease.
What is manager’s disease?
Manager’s disease includes problems of the cardiovascular system. The term was coined in the 1950s because it was noticed that a very large percentage of the manager group suffered from cardiac arrhythmias, stabbing chest pains, and arteriosclerosis in the heart area. The latter can lead to coronary occlusion, which can occur as a result of metabolic disturbances caused by hormonal influences or by low oxygen supply to the tissues. The intake of nicotine and alcohol and a lack of physical exercise are other components that make managers ill. Obesity and resulting blood pressure disorders are also causes of this disease. Cardiac stabbing, also called angina pectoris, occurs when the heart area is poorly supplied with blood because the coronary arteries are already narrowed by calcium deposits. It can occur in varying degrees and in different parts of the body. Most commonly, the pain localizes from the chest to the base of the neck. The lower jaw may also be affected. It happens that mild pain appears in the arms, stomach area and upper back. Such attacks can be severe in intensity and can cause death from myocardial infarction.
Causes
This clinical picture is triggered by the particular physical and psychological stresses to which managers are exposed. They do not have or take the time to go through conflicts because their professional commitment is extremely high and their thinking is always progressive or entrepreneurial. For managers who have fought for their position through their own efforts and with the help of their studies, the situation is more difficult than for those who have grown into such a position from a family tradition. Having role models in leadership positions during childhood and being exposed to the corresponding values reduces the stress factor. They were able to familiarize themselves with the obligations and responsibilities they have to bear as managers. Managers without this background often find themselves in a conflict that can promote psychogenic managerial illness. They are at the mercy of an inner turmoil because they have to be aware that they are not irreplaceable for traditional reasons, but replaceable. Therefore, they work incessantly.
Symptoms, signs and complaints
However, two facts are important for a person’s performance: a person cannot dispose of his full strength by himself, which means that a certain percentage of his energy is put aside as a reserve for exceptional situations. This can be drawn on in the event of physical or mental illness. Parallel to this, the readiness to perform changes several times a day from external to internal work. With external work all movement processes and brain activities are meant. The inner work stands for production of biochemical energy substances and the excretion of toxic metabolic products. If the ambitious manager now consumes coffee or alcohol and nicotine or other stimulants, he interrupts the natural alternation of external and internal work. And if he also greatly extends his working hours, he interferes with the day-night rhythm. If he then sits in difficult board meetings or similar negotiations, his energy reserves are tapped, as this stress causes the hormone adrenaline to be released into the bloodstream. And so his additional performance reserves rapidly deplete.
Diagnosis and course of the disease
Executives at this stage often feel rushed and unable to cope with everyday stresses. All their professional obligations and the demands attached to their secondary offices, which are important for representational reasons, overwhelm them. They complain of feeling driven and having no free time. They complain of listlessness, are dull and depressed. They state that they are tired all the time and that this condition makes their thoughts viscous.This means that they can no longer account for themselves. The original ideas are missing. The intellectual repartee in the conversations is missing. They can only find answers with difficulty. Their speech becomes expressionless, slow and sluggish. The vocabulary seems to shrink.
Complications
Manager’s disease primarily causes various symptoms to the patient’s heart and circulatory system. The disease does not necessarily lead to life-threatening situations or complications in every case. In the long run, however, Managers’ disease can cause serious damage to the body, significantly reducing life expectancy and quality of life. Furthermore, it can also lead to a stroke, in which the affected person can die in the worst case. Sleep disturbances and a general irritability of the patient also occur, resulting in considerable social difficulties and restrictions. The patient also suffers from reduced resilience and fatigue. Sufferers often appear listless and are afflicted with depression or other psychological complaints. Personality disorders and severe headaches may occur. As a rule, direct treatment of manager’s disease is not necessary, since the complaints can be treated relatively well by rest and relaxation. Complications also do not occur when treatment is initiated. The discomfort can cause cramps and undersupply of various organs, which has a very negative impact on health.
When should you go to the doctor?
People who have a very stressful lifestyle in adulthood between the mid-50s and 60s due to their personal and professional commitments should see a doctor at regular intervals for check-ups. In case of disturbances of the heart activity, abnormalities of the blood pressure, a diffuse feeling of anxiety or sweating, the clarification of the symptoms by a physician is needed. If there are irregularities in digestion, a reduced drive and a persistent worry that the performance rendered is not sufficient, a visit to the doctor is recommended. If the affected person regularly consumes alcohol and nicotine, blood levels should be monitored by a doctor. In case of a hectic everyday life, a professional activity with a high potential of responsibility or a tendency to brooding, the consultation of a doctor is necessary. An inner experience of stress, restlessness, restlessness and sleep disturbances are further indications that should be investigated. If temporary intolerances to food, mood swings or irritability occur, the person concerned needs help. In a comprehensive check-up examination, everyday complaints can be discussed and possible risk factors can be minimized. If there is a high level of memory almost every day, if rest or recovery phases occur only rarely, and if a diminished zest for life is noticed, the affected person should make changes. Together with a physician, possible ways can be discussed so that an improvement in well-being occurs.
Treatment and therapy
In healthy people, blood vessels constrict when cold and they dilate when warm. In a manager who suffers from the symptoms of overtiredness just mentioned, the blood vessels react more strongly in each case. If the overtiredness is already very advanced, any stimulus of cold or heat can trigger a spasm. This can be released, but it can also lead to the undersupply of an organ. This is how a cerebral stroke or gastric ulcer occurs.
Outlook and prognosis
If the current lifestyle is maintained, the prognosis of manager’s disease is unfavorable. Severe health complications occur that pose a threat to life. The affected person is at risk of stroke or myocardial infarction in the further course of the disease. Therefore, to improve the prospect of further development, restructuring of everyday life is necessary. The fulfillment of daily duties must be adjusted to the possibilities of the organism. The managerial disease represents a health overload for the affected person. Due to the lifestyle, various health disorders occur, which must be taken into account. In order to improve the development, the nutrition, the exercise as well as the sleep hygiene have to be optimized. Furthermore, it must be examined which physical as well as emotional stressors can be reduced to a minimum.Job responsibilities should be changed to provide long-term relief. In most cases, the patient must learn to relinquish responsibility. In addition, a change in cognitive patterns is advisable. As soon as the affected person gives his organism more rest and balance, significant relief is seen. Freedom from symptoms is achieved as soon as a work-life balance is established. The organization of leisure activities is therefore just as important as the fulfillment of professional tasks. Only a balance between well-being, enjoyment of life and the pursuit of success can avert the life-threatening condition.
Prevention
To prevent it, it is necessary to incorporate a few healthy aspects into everyday life. Daily exercise is one of the most important points in this regard. Light sports, cycling or jogging, is enough to avoid the risk of heart attack. At the same time, it is advisable to stop consuming stimulants or at least reduce them to a minimum and to eat a healthy diet. This will help not only the body, but also the mind.
Aftercare
Manager’s disease causes complaints of the circulatory system and the heart in sufferers. Affected individuals do not suffer from complications or life-threatening situations in every case, so aftercare in the true sense is not necessary. A healthy lifestyle with sufficient sleep and exercise that avoids stress can prevent further symptoms and discomfort and increase general well-being. Sufferers should try to focus on a positive healing process despite the adversity. To build the appropriate mindset, relaxation exercises and meditation can help calm and focus the mind. Being permanently irritable due to the disease and suffering from sleep disorders, sufferers may experience fatigue. Mental illnesses may occur as a result, as well as severe depression and listlessness. If these occur to an extraordinary degree, a psychologist should be consulted to clarify the extent to which therapy is appropriate.
What you can do yourself
Managerial illness is one of those disorders that the person affected can usually do more to cure than the doctor. The physical symptoms are quite predominantly psychogenic in nature. The typical accompanying symptoms of high blood pressure, gastric colic and angina pectoris, which often leads to a heart attack, can best be prevented by targeted stress management. A top manager does not have an eight-hour day and must also work regularly on weekends. But that’s precisely why it’s absolutely essential to relieve this stress regularly and also to allow oneself time off again and again. Managers who have problems with this are best off seeking professional help promptly, which a mentor or appropriately specialized psychologist can provide. Above all, it is important to lead a sensible lifestyle, which includes a healthy, vitamin-rich diet based primarily on plants, as well as regular exercise and sufficient sleep. A healthy diet combined with exercise prevents serious obesity, which otherwise intensifies the other symptoms of manager’s disease, especially high blood pressure and heart problems. Sufficient sleep is indispensable for mental health and an important prerequisite for the reduction of stress, which should under no circumstances be compensated for with alcohol, nicotine or other drugs. To better cope with acute stressful situations, those affected should instead learn relaxation techniques such as yoga or autogenic training.
