Shift work link to 'increased risk of heart problems'

[xchrom]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-18996082


Shift workers are slightly more at risk of having a heart attack or stroke than day workers, research suggests.

An analysis of studies involving more than 2m workers in the British Medical Journal said shift work can disrupt the body clock and have an adverse effect on lifestyle.

It has previously been linked to an increased risk of high blood pressure and diabetes.

Limiting night shifts would help workers cope, experts said.

[dixiegrrrrl]

1. I am not convinced everybody has the same inner clock, tho.

While it may be some, or even most, people have a 9 to 5 inner clock,
it is also true that some folks are naturally "night owls".
Wonder if the study included differential inner clocks?

[Warpy]

2. You're right. Delayed sleep phase disorder is a real phenomenon

and people who have it would likely experience the same increase in cardiac issues and other morbidities if forced to adhere to a strictly daylight schedule.

A lot of us on night shift described ourselves as natural night people who couldn't cope with mornings. Natural day people had a miserable time on night shifts.

They're just beginning to acknowledge delayed sleep as a real phenomenon. I doubt this study acknowledged any of this.

[dixiegrrrrl]

3. I am a "swing shifter" by nature

and have really really lucky to be able to work those hours ( 1 to 9 pm, actually) for a lot of years.
My brain and body do not kick in gear until after noon.

The study should have taken into account the various types of people.

[NickB79]

4. I always thought I was a night owl until I was forced to work a true graveyard shift

When I was younger I had not problem staying up until 2am every night. But two years ago, I had to accept the 9pm-5am shift at my job because it was the only one that would work with my wife's schedule and the care of our newborn daughter. I work at nights, come home, get 3 hr sleep, wife goes to work, I'm up with the baby during the day, nap when the baby naps, and grab another nap before work when my wife gets home in the afternoon.

I HATE shift work! Oh god, do I hate it. I'm counting the days until she's off to school and I can try to switch back to normal hours.