Shift work and cardiovascular strain on working and non-working days

Abstract

Abstract Background Shift work is often associated with adverse effects on cardiovascular health of employees. Only a few studies address the strain of shift and day workers on non-working days compared to working days. Aims This study aims to determine how the cardiovascular strain of hotel and catering industry (HCI) employees who work alternating shifts differs from those working normal day shifts—on both a working day (WD) and a non-working day (ND). Methods The sample consisted of 60 alternating shift (morning and afternoon, mean age: 31.5 ± 8.5 years) and 88 day workers (mean age: 35.3 ± 9.4 years). A 24-h ambulatory measurement of blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) on WD and ND with the time phases DAY, SLEEP, and 24-h TOTAL was used to analyse cardiovascular strain. BP status was assessed by self-measurement (36% hypertensives). Results The total strain over 24 h was slightly higher on WD than ND (mean BP: 134/79 versus 127/75 mmHg, P = 0.002–0.020; mean HR: 78 versus 75 bpm, P = 0.055). In trend, shift workers had higher systolic BP than day workers during the individual time phases of DAY, SLEEP, and 24-h TOTAL on WD. Known cardiovascular risk factors emerged as critical determinants of cardiovascular strain: older age, male gender, and hypertensive blood pressure status. Conclusions The results revealed no clear association between the alternating shift system in HCI and increased cardiovascular strain. The 24-h ambulatory measurement is considered ideal for determining cardiovascular strain in everyday life and under working conditions.