Occupational health services: Know your Numbers!® Week 2018
Using occupational health services and strategies, businesses can make their employees aware of the importance of not only knowing their blood pressure, but also maintaining it. Know Your Numbers week is here to raise awareness around high blood pressure and help people learn more about the causes, prevention methods, and risks.
How blood pressure is recorded
Two numbers are taken:
- The systolic pressure (higher number) is the force at which your heart pumps blood around your body.
- The diastolic pressure (lower number) is the resistance to the blood flow in the blood vessels.
They’re both measured in millimetres of mercury (mmHg).
An ideal blood pressure is between 90/60mmHg and 120/80mmHg.
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is considered to be 140/90mmHg or higher.
The risks of high blood pressure
If your blood pressure is too high, it puts extra strain on your blood vessels, heart and other organs, such as the brain, kidneys and eyes.
Blood Pressure UK has put together this handy guide for Know Your Numbers week to remind you why it’s important to keep your blood pressure within healthy limits.
Reducing high blood pressure by even a small amount can help lower your risk of these conditions.
All adults over 40 are advised to have their blood pressure checked at least every five years.
The causes of high blood pressure
It’s not always clear what causes high blood pressure, but you’re at an increased risk if you:
- are over 65
- are overweight or obese
- are of African or Caribbean descent
- have a relative with high blood pressure
- eat too much salt and don’t eat enough fruit and vegetables
- don’t do enough exercise
- drink too much alcohol, coffee or other caffeine-based drinks
- smoke
- don’t get much sleep or have disturbed sleep
You can lower your blood pressure if it’s high and reduce the chance of getting high blood pressure in the first place by making healthy lifestyle changes.
If you’d like to find out how health surveillance and other occupational health strategies can help the health and wellbeing of employees, get in touch and contact the Fusion team today.
