Effects of 24-h Shift Work in the Emergency Room on Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring Values of Medical Residents

BACKGROUND: Medical residency is marked by long work hours and shift work. The acute effects of these factors on the blood pressure (BP) of medical residents have not been adequately evaluated. METHODS: A total of 61 medical residents underwent to ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) during a 24-h shift work in the emergency room (ER) and during a common working day. RESULTS: Both mean 24-h systolic and diastolic BP (DBP) and mean diastolic BP readings during sleep were higher during the 24-h shift work in the ER than during common working day (117 v 113 mm Hg, P < .05; 73 v 69 mm Hg, P < .05; and 61 v 58 mm Hg, P < .05, respectively). Abnormally high mean BP readings were more frequent during the 24-h shift work in the ER than in common working day (19 v 8, P < .05). Pressure load, nocturnal BP fall and pulse pressure values were similar in these two different working situations. CONCLUSION: Working in the ER on a 24-h shift leads to abnormal BP behavior in medical residents, thus suggesting that this type of work may be a risk factor for cardiovascular disease.