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Our society tends to promote the notion that working hard can be noble and even heroic. However, scientific research shows that putting in too many hours can lead to cardiovascular strain. As one North American study indicated, employees who put in 40 or more hours on a regular basis increased their risk of hypertension by up to 70 percent.

Most people refer to hypertension as high blood pressure. High blood pressure occurs when the blood pumps forcibly against the artery walls. Rather than pumping through the body at a normal pressure, which is around 120/80, the blood pressure surges higher. Ironically, plenty of hypertension sufferers do not realize they have the condition because early symptoms tend to be mild or misdiagnosed as other issues, such as headaches or nose bleeds.

Hypertension becomes problematic when it is chronic and intense. Consistent high blood pressure levels have been linked to heart attack, stroke, fatigue, heart failure, aneurysms, weakened kidneys, difficulty remembering, dementia, and fatalities. High blood pressure can be reduced by medication and lifestyle changes, including working less frequently if jobs are creating stressful conditions.

Why Do Overworked People Have Hypertension?

Not all individuals who work excessive hours at the office or in a factory will experience hypertension. However, hypertension can be notoriously tough to spot because it may just feel like the normal rush of a workday. Masked hypertension is a particularly fascinating phenomenon where the blood pressure rises while a person is at work and then gets lower outside of the workplace.

Patients with masked hypertension often have normal blood pressure when going for regular medical exams, which makes this type of hypertension tough to diagnose. The best way to diagnose masked hypertension is to have a patient wear a monitor for at least 24 hours. The monitor collects blood pressure data readings over the course of a day, indicating potential issues if readings fluctuate toward dangerous levels

How Can Workers Alleviate Hypertension?

Blue-collar and white-collar workers who know or think they have any type of hypertension should work with health care providers to reduce their chances of having a high blood pressure-related event, such as a stroke. Some proven methods to lower hypertension include losing weight, staying physically active, quitting tobacco use, limiting alcohol intake, and working fewer hours per week. Pharmaceuticals may also help lessen hypertension, although many people prefer to try medicine alternatives unless their blood pressure is significantly high.

Can Employees Make a Workers’ Compensation Claim?

A recurring question among employees with hypertension is whether they can make a Workers’ Compensation claim for high blood pressure treatment. Not surprisingly, it can be difficult to receive Workers’ Compensation benefits for hypertension. In some situations, workers and their workers’ compensation attorneys have been successful in receiving compensation due to job-related hypertension. People interested in exploring this possibility should talk with a knowledgeable attorney who can provide advice on whether they meet the criteria needed to qualify.

Philadelphia Workers’ Compensation Lawyers at Gross & Kenny, LLP Help Workers with Hypertension Pursue Workers’ Compensation Claims

If you were diagnosed with hypertension, contact the Philadelphia Workers’ Compensation lawyers at Gross & Kenny, LLP. We will review your case and advise the next best steps for your claim. For a free consultation, call us at 215-512-1500 or contact us online. Located in Philadelphia, we serve clients throughout Pennsylvania.