Differences Between Night and Day Porters in Heart Rate Variability as A Measure of Cardiovascular Health |Biomedgrid

Purpose: To find the evidence of an association between night shift work and an increased incidence of health problems, in particular cardiovascular disease. Methods: This study used heart rate variability (HRV) as a measure of cardiovascular health and resilience along with detailed questioning on general health, lifestyle and shift patterns, to draw comparisons between night porters and their day-working counterparts. Results: Significant differences were found in aspects of cardiovascular response to heart rate and high frequency power in heart rate variability between the night porters and day porters, which could reflect disruption to autonomic control. Conclusion: This study presents the evidence for HRV differences between day and night workers doing the same job following imposed autonomic challenge.