Clinical and experimental medicine

How Shift Work and Body Clock Disruptions Relate to Blood Vessel Health and Stroke Risk

Updated

Abstract

Shift work is associated with an increased stroke risk due to disruptions in .

  • Circadian rhythm disruptions affect the functioning of endothelial cells, which can lead to blood pressure issues.
  • Night shifts are significantly linked to type 2 diabetes, impacting glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity.
  • Melatonin production is disrupted in shift workers, affecting insulin and glucose balance.
  • , particularly lower levels of HDL cholesterol, is a consequence of shift work and may contribute to stroke risk.
  • High lipid levels can lead to oxidative stress and inflammation, which increase risks for cerebrovascular events.
  • The interplay of circadian disruption, hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia complicates stroke vulnerability in shift workers.

Simplified

Key numbers

5%
Increased Stroke Risk
Risk increase per 5 years of rotating night shift work.
25%
Higher Risk for Women
Increased stroke risk for women working night shifts.
30%
Long-term Shift Work Impact
Risk increase for those working night shifts for 10 or more years.

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Funding

Competing interests

Declarations Conflict of interest The authors declare no conflict of interest. Consent to participate Not applicable. Consent for publication Not applicable. Ethical approval Not applicable.
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