Hypertension – Are Your Employees at Risk? (The Guardian: 20/06/2017)
Hypertension – also known as high blood pressure – is a result of blood pushing vessel walls at a higher speed than normal. The heart’s job is to pump blood into arteries or blood vessels throughout the body. With high blood pressure, the heart works harder and causes arteries to harden, contributing to atherosclerosis and heart failure. Normal blood pressure is measured t 120/80. Anything over 140/90 is considered high blood pressure.
According to the data from Ministry of Health, the prevalence of hypertension in Tanzania is 26 per cent, meaning that in every 100 people, 26 have the condition. Hypertension is often dubbed the silent killer because it is largely a symptomless condition. Employees typically do not see or feel hypertension and so companies are using strategies to get more employees screened, better identify those at risk and drive healthier outcomes by motivating the high risk employees to get the care they need.
How Work Affects Hypertension
- Work stress can result in tension causing a rise in the blood pressure
- Physical demand – metabolism will rise when workload is heavy and work is physically demanding, leading to a rise in blood pressure
- Hot and humid work environment – manual works may result in excessive sweating and dilation of blood vessels
- Patients with hypertension may forget to take medicine because of their busy work schedule, adversely affecting the effectiveness of treatment.
How Hypertension Affects Work
In general there is minimal impact on work when hypertension is well under control. However, Some hypertensive employees may have side effects such as dizziness and fatigue or disturbance of their mood and work, especially during the initial stage of treatment. Before these employees engage in work which is inherently hazardous or where the safety of others can be affected such as working at height, underground work, work on water or under water, machine operation and driving, they should seek medical advice to avoid the occurrence of accidents.
High Risk Factors
There are several factors that can place individuals at high risk for developing high blood pressure. While family history, age, race and gender play a role, following risk factors are related to lifestyle:
- Lack of physical activity
- An unhealthy diet, especially one high in sodium
- Being overweight or obese
- Drinking too much alcohol
- Smoking and tobacco use
- Stress
Keep Blood Pressure In Check At Workplace
Implement initiatives in your wellness program to help employees monitor and prevent high blood pressure. Below is a list of targeted initiatives
- Provide frequent blood pressure checks by a registered nurse – Offer employee annual checks that include blood pressure checks. This can be done annually, and periodically during the year.
- Encourage proper diet and exercise – Organize information sessions on diet, nutrition and exercising for your employees. This will keep your employees informed, and motivate them to make lifestyle changes.
- De-stressing exercises – Include de-stressing exercises, like yoga and tai chi, to your wellness activities. Helping your employees de-stress will also help them lower their blood pressure.
The Bottom Line
High blood pressure is a major concern at workplaces. Understanding the risk factors in diet, hereditary, and lifestyle, will help employees take the initial steps towards improving their condition. Keeping their blood pressure in check will improve their quality of life at home and at workplace.
By: Bhakti Shah, MPH
Reply back to bhakti@impactafya.com or call +255 754 694 643 with your feedback. We welcome your suggestions for corporate wellness tips you’d like to see covered in our future columns.
Bhakti Shah, MPH is the Founder and Managing Director of ImpactAfya Ltd, collaborating with Workplace Options and Mayo Clinic, USA to provide Corporate Wellness and EAP Solutions in East Africa. Bhakti is also the Advisor for the Africa Business Portal and the Past President of the American Chamber of Commerce in Tanzania.
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