Research

Hormonal

Shift work involving circadian misalignment and chronic sleep restriction significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular events, metabolic syndrome, and mood disorders.

If you work nights or rotating shifts, recognize that your body's internal clock is fighting against your schedule. This misalignment directly increases your risk for heart disease, diabetes, and mood disorders. Prioritize sleep quality, manage stress, and be aware of your cardiovascular risk factors more closely than day workers.

GoodSupportsHIGH confidence
Shift work is associated with a higher risk of several medical conditions, particularly metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular diseases and mood disorders. Circadian misalignment is related to cardiometabolic changes, and together with altered food choice and physical activity, leads to increases in obesity, dyslipidaemia and impaired glucose metabolism.
Shantha M. W. Rajaratnam et al. · The Medical Journal of Australia · 2013

Why this rating

Supported by large epidemiological studies and laboratory studies, though causality in long-term human populations is complex.

Source

Sleep loss and circadian disruption in shift work: health burden and management

Shantha M. W. Rajaratnam et al. · The Medical Journal of Australia · 2013

DOI 10.5694/mja13.10561

narrative_reviewCited 208×
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DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10

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