Does the heart eat along? A two years lifestyle intervention in shift workers.

Background: The present study investigates whether it is possible to reduce heart rate by nutritional information and lifestyle modification.

Methods: In this exploratory study 18 male rotating shift workers (39.7 ± 7.5 y) were randomly divided into two groups by using the urn model. At the beginning of the study, all subjects wore a heart rate sensor for 24 hours during a night shift. This recording was repeated after 1 year, when groups switched, and at the end of the study. Participants received nutritional information every other month for 1 year. The nutritional counseling was provided by a dietician/nutritionist and only contained information about healthy eating. By using the food diaries, nutritional errors were uncovered and could easily be corrected. Subjects were also encouraged to incorporate more endurance and resistance training into their daily routines.

Results: After the intervention, heart rate in group A decreased during the day from 75 ± 6.3 beats per minute (bpm) before to 73 ± 7.5 bpm afterward and during the night from 72 ± 9.8 bpm before to 70 ± 9.5 bpm afterward. In group B heart rate increased during the day from 72 ± 9.1 bpm before to 76 ± 7.2 bpm afterward and decreased at night from 69 ± 10.0 bpm before to 66 ± 11.2 bpm afterward. All values were highly significant (p < 0.001).

Conclusions: Motivation to adopt a better lifestyle in terms of healthy eating and daily exercise could be a cost-effective contribution to heart health among rotating shift workers. However, the individually adapted interventions need to occur more frequently.