Factors Associated With Elevated Blood Pressure in Nursing Workers

Abstract

Introduction: Nurses from the night shift are exposed to sleep deprivation, which is associated with circadian rhythm alteration, lifestyle changes, psychosocial stress, and, consequently, increased risk of blood pressure (BP) deregulation and hypertension. Objective: To analyze risk factors associated with elevated BP levels in nursing workers. Methods: A transversal, quantitative study was conducted with 172 nursing professionals of a large hospital in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The following data were collected: anthropometric and BP measurements, sociodemographic characteristics, clinical variables, and lifestyle habits. Results were evaluated by bivariate analysis and logistic regression. The level of significance adopted in the statistical analysis was 5%. Results: Participants’ average age was 42.7 ± 9.6 years old; 86.6% (n = 149) were female, and 20.3% (n = 35) had previous diagnosis of hypertension. Overweight and obesity (odds ratio [OR]: 2.187, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.060 – 4.509) and night shift (OR: 2.100, CI 95%: 1.061 – 4.158) were statistically significant (p < 0.05) for increased risk of elevated BP level. Conclusion: Excessive weight and night shift were significant factors for increased BP in nursing workers.