Press Release
Workers must look after their hearts to help shift increased risk
26 July 2012
Shift work is associated with an increased risk of a heart attack or stroke, according to the findings of new research.
Analysing the results of dozens of studies involving more than two million people, researchers looked at the health impact of evening shifts, irregular or unspecified shifts, mixed schedules, night shifts and rotating shifts. They compared the findings with non-shift workers and the general population.
Their findings showed heart attacks and strokes were more common among shift workers and shift work was associated with a 23 per cent increased risk of a heart attack and a 5 per cent increased risk of a stroke.
Night shifts were associated with the steepest increase in risk for coronary events.
Ellen Mason, Senior Cardiac Nurse at the British Heart Foundation (BHF), said: “Although the associated increased risk to an individual shift worker was relatively small, many Brits don’t work nine to five and so these findings becomes much more significant.
“Whether you work nights, evenings or regular office hours, eating healthily, getting active and quitting smoking can make a big difference to your heart health. Anyone over 40 in England should take advantage of a free NHS health check which will examine blood pressure, cholesterol levels and BMI.
“We also need to raise awareness in the workplace about the signs and symptoms of a heart attack or stroke and urge everybody to call 999 at the first sign of trouble.”
The BHF’s free Health at Work programme recognises the importance of keeping the nation’s workers heart healthy. The scheme helps employers get their workforce fit and healthy through a range of simple tools and resources. Visit bhf.org.uk/healthatwork for more.
A recent survey from the charity showed around one in three UK workers think their boss doesn’t care about their happiness and wellbeing in the workplace. More than two thirds also claim their organisation doesn’t offer any opportunities to get fit and healthy.
And almost a fifth of employees rate their daily stress levels as seven out of ten or above.
The study was published in the British Medical Journal.
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