Abstract / Summary
Abstract Objective： This study aimed to explore the impact of night shifts on cardiac function and occupational burnout among healthcare workers, providing evidence-based recommendations for their health management. Methods: Sixty healthcare workers were prospectively enrolled and divided into a night shift group (n=29) and a day shift group (n=31) according to night shift participation. Echocardiographic and 24-hour Holter monitoring data were collected from the night shift group on the day of rest and 3 days later, as well as from the day shift group. Fatigue, stress, and job burnout questionnaires were administered. Echocardiographic parameters, heart rate variability (HRV) indices, and questionnaire scores were compared between groups. Results: Cardiac function analysis showed the night shift group had significantly lower Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction ( LVEF) , Tricuspid Valves’ Tricuspid Annular Plane Systolic Excursion (TVs’) , and Global Longitudinal Strain (GLS) than the day shift group on rest days. After three days' rest, TVs’（11.71±1.19 vs.12.47±1.27,SDD=1.32）、TAPSE（21.86±1.46 vs.22.72±1.49,SDD=1.09）and GLS （21.27±073 vs.22.08±0.79,SDD=0.68）improved in night shift workers (P < 0.05). HRV analysis revealed a higher LF/HF ratio in night shift workers on rest days. Post-rest, their SDNN, SDANN, RMSSD, and VLF increased, though LF/HF remained elevated vs. day shift (P < 0.05). Questionnaires showed higher sleepiness, fatigue, and stress scores in night shift workers on rest days, improving after three days. Conversely, day shift group exhibited significantly better performance in occupational burnout status than the night shift group (P<0.05). : Conclusion: Night shift work induces short-term ventricular systolic dysfunction and autonomic dysregulation in healthcare professionals. Three days of post-shift rest partially restores cardiac function and parasympathetic tone, though autonomic function does not fully revert to baseline. Occupational burnout scores also significantly increase in the night shift group.