Research Plus

Hypertension and occupational exposures

Research undertaken as part of the Helsinki Heart Study followed changes in systolic blood pressure (SBP) over an eight-year period in 884 workers. High physical workload was associated with a statistically significant increase in SBP, but physical workload alone – ie without hypertension – was not a risk factor for coronary heart disease (CHD). Hypertension (SBP ³ 140 mmHg) is a prerequisite for increased risk of CHD in this group of workers. Neither shiftwork nor noise exposure significantly raised SBP.

Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health 2007; 33(6) 425–434.

Tags cardiovascular evidence based practice

Occupational Health at Work April/May 2008 (vol. 04/6) pp40