Disturbances of Autonomic Regulation of Cardiovascular System at Different Working Regimes with Night Shifts

Abstract

Aim To study temporal and spectral characteristics of heart rhythm variability (HRV) in night shift workers.Materials and methods Along with traditional risk factors, conditions of labor contribute to development of cardiovascular morbidity, including night shift work, which can be associated with disorders of the autonomic regulation detected by analysis of HRV. This study included 100 healthy men. 74 of them were engaged in shift work, including 53 men with rotating shift work, 21 men with fixed night shifts, and 26 men with day-time work. HRV was analyzed by data of 5-min electrocardiogram recording (background recording and orthostatic test).Results Night-shift workers had decreases in total power of regulation (ТР, SDNN) and in the parasympathetic branch (HF, pNN50). Rotating night-shift workers displayed significant decreases in SDNN and pNN50 and pronounced changes in the VLF / LF / HF ratio in the orthostatic test.Conclusion In work with night shifts, the type of autonomic regulation differs from the “standard” functioning of the autonomic nervous system (ANS). This study showed different effects of night work regimens on HRV indexes. With the rotating shift work, the ANS dysregulation was more profound and was evident by a significant decrease in the ANS total tone and parasympathetic activity (SDNN, pNN50) compared to night shifts with fixed working hours. The excessive weakening of the parasympathetic component in the passive orthostatic test can be considered as an early marker for ANS maladaptation.

Features of Allostatic Load in Patients with Essential Hypertension without Metabolic Syndrome Depending on the Nature of Nighttime Decreases in Blood Pressure

“…Pathogenetic pharmacotherapy of EH decreases hemodynamic load on the cardiovascular system and reduces the risks of complications [5][6][7][8][9][10]. The adequacy of therapy is associated with the achievement of target levels of BP [11]. However, it is still poorly understood whether hemodynamic allostasis and allostatic load on the body are preserved or whether pathogenetic therapy returns regulatory mechanisms to homeostasis.…”