The British Medical Journal published a meta-analysis of 34 studies that examined the relationship between shift work and coronary disease. Combined, these studies included over 2 million patients. The studies essentially compared risk of coronary event between normal day workers and non-day workers, which they classified as “shift schedule.” In pooled random effects analysis, they found a statistically significant increase in risk of myocardial infarction, stroke, and coronary event. The highest risk ratio was for night shifts. These associations held even when adjusting for socioeconomic status and unhealthy behaviors.
This meta-analysis only suggests association and cannot prove causality and exactly why shift work would increase cardiovascular risks is not fully understood. But these findings at least tell me that I need to be vigilant about reducing my cardiovascular risks. Eat better (both while working and not), getting regular exercise even though that’s not what I feel like after an 11-7 shift, and managing stress appropriately.
Vyas MV, et al. "Shift work and vascular events: systematic review and meta-analysis." BMJ. 2012.
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