Wellness: 3 Reasons why shift workers need to take extra good care of themselves

Shift workers need to monitor heart health

A newly released study has found that people who work the night shift have an increased risk of various health conditions. Nearly 1/3 of workers in the United States work the night shift, and millions more work shifts outside of the traditional 9 to 5 schedule.

The study found:

1. Increased risk of heart attacks (23%)
2. 5% increased risk of stroke
3. Higher rates of "coronary events" (41%)

Earlier studies have found double the rates of breast cancer and linkages with increased weight gain and obesity.

What Can Shift Workers Do?

Doctors recommend that shift workers regularly assess heart health and carefully monitor "blood pressure, waist circumference, cholesterol, triglycerides, and fasting blood sugar."

Massage therapy can also contribute to whole-body health and assist in reducing the body's stress response.

Cardiologist Dr. Carl Lavie's recommendations are prevention-focused: "My advice would be to exercise and make sure their fitness is at a high level, and then I'd treat their risk factors vigorously".

For more information, please read: The Health Risks of Shift Work over at WebMD.