BOSTON -- Having a bad boss could be bad for your health.

Boss Bad For Your Health?

Swedish researchers found workers who dealt with an inconsiderate, uncommunicative manager for four years were 60 percent more likely to have a heart attack or other life-threatening cardiac condition.

NewsCenter 5's Rhondella Richardson reported that cardiovascular disease can be caused by perceived abusive and passive leadership at work.

"I've worked with people that are difficult to work with, make things harder than they have to be. Start with a no, instead of a yes every time you talk to them," said worker Neal Shalom.

Swedish researchers asked employees if their boss gives them the information they need; if they have a clear picture of what their boss expects of them; and if their boss praises them if they have done something good.

When a boss scored higher, the employee had a lower risk of a heart attack, researchers said. Employees' risk for chest pains starts when they feel like they don't have any control.

"I had a good salary, but the stress was too much. I was not sleeping at all," said worker Celio Gasbar.

Cardiologists said the workers' sympathetic nervous system goes into overdrive.

"That will have heart rate up, hormones are released putting added stress on the blood vessels and the heart itself," said Dr. Christopher Cannon, of Brigham and Women's Hospital.

No one profession is singled out in the study, but some industries are more challenging.

"I'm a realtor, and stress in this market is pretty high," said Yannis Tsitsas.

Having a good boss appeared to have more of an effect than workload or the employee's health habits.