Regularly getting health screenings ensures that you and your employees stay healthy to lead productive, fulfilling lives, both at work and at home. We offer occupational health programs that include regular blood pressure screenings as part of AdventHealth Centra Care’s onsite workplace health services for the health of your whole team.
We’re here to share more about high blood pressure, including who’s at higher risk and the importance of regular blood pressure screenings, so you can encourage your team to own their well-being.
What Is High Blood Pressure?
High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a common condition affecting your heart and arteries. It occurs when the force of your blood pushing against the walls of your arteries is too high. Essentially, this means your heart has to work harder to function at a normal level. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), high blood pressure affects nearly half of adults at 48.1% as of 2022. Among these individuals, most don’t even know they have it.
Your blood pressure levels are written and evaluated by two numbers. The top number shows your systolic blood pressure — the pressure of blood flow through your artery walls when your heart contracts. The bottom number is your diastolic blood pressure — the pressure on your artery walls between beats when your heart is at rest. It’s important to know that your blood pressure changes throughout the day as your activities change. However, your blood pressure levels should be below 120/80 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). If levels rise to 130/80 mm HG or higher, that classifies as stage 1 hypertension.
The Risks of High Blood Pressure
Most individuals who have high blood pressure are unaware they have it because they show no symptoms — If not regularly checked, hypertension often goes undetected and can lead to heart attacks and strokes. It can also lead to other health concerns like aneurysms, damaged arteries, coronary artery disease and heart failure. It’s vital that you speak with your primary care provider (PCP) about scheduling annual screenings to prevent hypertension and to keep your heart beating strong.
According to the CDC, certain factors put an individual at a higher risk of developing hypertension, including:
- Chronic stress
- Diabetes
- Elevated blood pressure
- Genetics
- Long work hours
- Obesity
- Pregnancy
- Sedentary work habits
- Tobacco use
- Too much alcohol
- Unhealthy diets
As an employer, we know that you want what’s best for your team members. Blood pressure screenings benefit not only your employees but your company as a whole. Helping them stay healthy improves efficiency, morale and quality of work.
How to Help Prevent High Blood Pressure
The good news is there are certain things you can do to prevent hypertension. We recommend:
- Annual blood pressure screenings
- Avoiding overuse of tobacco and alcohol
- Being physically active
- Eating a healthy diet
- Getting enough sleep
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Managing stress
When it comes to managing high blood pressure, prevention is the best line of defense. Catching high blood pressure before it worsens is vital. By encouraging your team to participate in preventive health efforts, you’re compassionately leading them to own their health, leading to a happier and more productive team.
Your Partner in Health
We know how vital consistent support is when it comes to matters of the heart. With us, you have access to an ongoing partnership that unlocks the full potential of your team while helping them feel whole in body, mind and spirit. A healthy workplace is a valuable one.
To learn more about our services through AdventHealth Centra Care and how we can partner with you, contact us here. We’re honored to help you and your team members thrive.
