Shift workers may face higher heart risks

July 27, 2012 (CHICAGO) Researchers say that's because irregular work schedules disrupt the body's natural sleep cycle. The new study published in the British Medical Journal discovered heart attacks and strokes were more common in shift workers than those who work normal business hours. Night-shift workers were found to fare the worst, with a 41 percent increase in risk of having a coronary event. Researchers also say shift workers face a higher risk of obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure.