Effect of Shift Work on Blood Pressure!

Introduction: Controversies exist in publications about the association between shift work and hypertension. This study aimed to explore the relationship between shift work and the level of systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Potential mechanisms of these health effects have been associated with disturbed circadian rhythms, sleep and lifestyle problems, increased stress and biochemical changes. Most nurses undertake shift work at some time in their career, and health services could not operate without a shift working nursing workforce. Efficient health screening and support to control unhealthy lifestyle factors would be of considerable benefit for maintaining the health of shift workers. Materials and methods 100 individuals working in Father Muller Medical college hospital ( including staff nurses, nursing aids, attenders and clerks), were divided into 50 day time workers and 50 day& night shift workers. Blood pressure will be recorded for all these individuals every week at least four times in a month according to their duty roster and BMI will be calculated. Results Compared to day workers, 48 % shift workers is having abnormal systolic BP recordings and 38 % is having high diastolic BP recordings after joining work which is statistically significant. ( P value