Research has found that working women are more likely to have high blood pressure than men because they tend to the housework as well as going to work.
Scientists monitored 113 working men and women and tracked their blood pressure at home and at work, discovering it was the stress of working out how to get chores such as cleaning and shopping done – rather than actually doing them – that caused the most worry.
Whilst looking after children and pets did not cause a rise in blood pressure, mundane tasks like car maintenance, paying the bills and keeping on top of the budget raised the women's stress levels.
The findings fly in the face of previous studies which had suggested vigorous housework might be good for the heart.
The study - which has been published by the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine - claims working mums could be risking their health by looking after the family.
The report states: 'Household chores are notable for their routine nature... a relatively low level of challenge and few intrinsic rewards.
'This work supports the notion that fairly routine aspects of the home environment may have important implications for cardiovascular health.'
What do you think?
Have you long thought housework is bad for your health?