Shift Workers At-Risk for Heart Attacks & Stroke

A number of studies document that shift work disrupts the circadian rhythm, sleep, and work-life balance.  David C. Hackam, from Western University (Canada), and colleagues conducted a meta-analysis of 34 studies involving a total of 2,011,935 adults.   A pooled random-effects analysis showed that shift work was associated with a 23% higher risk of myocardial infarction (heart attack), and a 5% higher risk of ischemic stroke.  Comparison of adjusted and unadjusted pooled risk ratios showed similar results.  The risk persisted across different work shifts, with the exception of night-shift workers. Writing that: “Shift work is associated with vascular events,” the study authors submit that their findings “have implications for public policy and occupational medicine.”