Cardiovascular recovery after workload in German shift workers in the hotel and catering industry: results of 24-hour-ambulatory monitoring of heart rate and blood pressure

Purpose Shift work is associated with an impairment of sleep–wake cycles that can affect cardiovascular recovery (CR) negatively. The aim of this study was to examine CR of shift and day workers in the hotel and catering industry (HCI) and identify predictors of CR. Methods The sample consisted of 64 alternating and 96 day workers in the HCI. Monitoring of blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) was conducted for 24 hours per working day during work, leisure and sleep. The CR process was examined for differences between work and leisure, work and sleep regarding a reduction in BP and HR. Lifestyle (physical activity, smoking, drinking) was assessed through questionnaires, BP over a four-day, self-assessment period (38% hypertensives). Participants taking BP medication ( n = 12) were excluded from analyses. Results Shift workers had significantly higher BP (Ø 146/87 vs. Ø 140/84 mmHg; p = 0.034–0.044) and HR (Ø 86 vs. 82 bpm; p = 0.032) during their work phase verses day workers. There were no differences found for the CR between work and leisure nor work and sleep. As predictors of the CR, classic cardiovascular indicators (blood pressure status, smoking, age, physical activity, sex) were found which explains between 14% (HR) and 30% (BP) of the variance. Shift work was not a predictor for CR. Conclusions Employees in the HCI show that their CR is mainly determined by the known cardiovascular indicators and less by shift work. This effect needs to be discussed in relation to the job requirements and the cardiovascular health of the employees.