Altered circadian rhythm of blood pressure in shift workers.

Night workers exhibited a reversed circadian rhythm in blood pressure compared to day workers.

• Day workers displayed a typical drop in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure at night.
• In night workers, peak systolic blood pressure occurred at 11 pm, while peak diastolic blood pressure was at 10 pm.
• In contrast, day workers peaked at 4 pm for systolic and 3 pm for diastolic blood pressure.
• All subjects demonstrated a significant cyclic variation in blood pressure.
• The amplitude of diastolic blood pressure was generally smaller in younger workers.
• Consideration of the altered blood pressure cycle is important for therapeutic decisions in night shift workers with hypertension.

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