Night/Shift Work and Cerebrovascular Disease: Systematic Review/Meta‑analysis
Summary
This prospective cohort study followed over 30,000 nurses and nursing assistants in Stockholm between 2009 and 2017 to examine whether night and shift work raised the risk of cerebrovascular disease (such as stroke). Work schedules were tracked through payroll records, allowing researchers to measure the number of night shifts, consecutive night shifts, and recovery time between shifts. During follow-up, 223 new cases of cerebrovascular disease were recorded. The risk was higher in employees who worked more than 30 night shifts per year, had frequent stretches of three or more consecutive nights, or had limited recovery time between shifts. Nurses with more than five years of night-shift exposure also showed increased risk.
Why It Matters For Night Shift Workers and Night Owls
For healthcare workers, this study shows that the structure of night shifts—not just lifestyle factors—can influence stroke risk. Frequent consecutive nights and short recovery times were linked to greater risk of cerebrovascular disease, as was long-term exposure to night work. The message is not that a few nights will cause harm, but that repeated patterns over years can add up. For workers, this highlights the importance of advocating for schedules with longer recovery periods and fewer stretches of consecutive nights. For employers, it reinforces that safer shift design may help protect staff health in the long run.
Notes
Summarizes cohort data.