Arterial hypertension and cardiovascular risk factors in police officers: on the issue of their association with night shifts work

Background. It is known that the lifestyle of patients with arterial hypertension (AH) significantly affects the incidence and cardiovascular mortality in the population. Objective. Evaluation of the incidence of arterial hypertension among police officers in the Kemerovo city and the relationship between the nature of night shifts work and cardiovascular risk factors. Methods. The study included 202 police officers with different blood pressure levels. The main and a number of additional cardiovascular risk factors were determined. The level of anxiety was assessed using Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, the index of the quality of night sleep was analyzed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). The presence of night shifts was taken into account. Parametric and nonparametric methods of statistical analysis were used depending on the distribution of quantitative indicators. Results. The optimal blood pressure was found in 14 police officers, normal BP - in 27, high normal BP - in 16, degree I AH - in 98, degree II AH - in 38, degree III AH - in 9. Thus, the overall AH incidence was 145 (71.78%). The data presented indicate an increased frequency of AH in police officers compared to the general population, as well as a significant (p<0.01) prevalence of patients with degree I AH among the examined hypertensive persons. Conclusion. It was found that work activity in the conditions of many years of daily work with night shifts in police officers is associated with an increased incidence of arterial hypertension, an increase in body mass index, sleep disturbances, smoking, and unfavorable blood lipid profile.

cardiovascular risk factors, arterial hypertension, night shifts, police officers