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ith the unhealthy lifestyle which professional drivers adapt, it is no longer a wonder why many of them develop serious health conditions such as hypertension. The working environment of professional drivers is not as favourable as other working groups which lead them to a greater risk of suffering from deadly health conditions including high blood pressure. Understanding the Nature of Hypertension Hypertension, commonly known as high blood pressure, is a serious health condition best defined by a systolic blood pressure which is greater than or equal to 140 mm Hg with diastolic blood pressure of greater than or equal to 90 mm Hg. People diagnosed with hypertension usually suffers from a wide range of symptoms including confusion, fatigue, severe headaches, difficulty in breathing, blood in urine, vision problems and unstable heartbeat. According to the American Heart Association, one in every four Americans actually suffers from hypertension. People who are obese, diabetic, who smoke and those who have family history of hypertension are at a greater risk of suffering from high blood pressure. The complications associated with uncontrolled hypertension include myocardial infarctions, kidney disease, stroke and coronary artery disease. Hypertension is actually considered as the silent killer which triggers the development of many serious health conditions including diabetes, blindness, kidney failure, heart disease and blood vessel damage. Professional Drivers and Their Susceptibility to High Blood Pressure Professional drivers are group of people whose main job revolves around operating a motor vehicle in certain conditions. Professional drivers include bus, truck, chauffeur, taxi, ambulance, tram and trolley drivers. This group of people usually spend most of their time in vehicles driving for long hours. The nature of their job lead them to observe a very unhealthy lifestyle which in the long run, can affect their driving capacity as well as their health, in general. According to research, the total occupational stress which confronts professional drivers is twice as high as other occupations. These stresses include irregular and long working hours, time pressure, night driving, inadequate heating, poor mechanical condition of the vehicle, lack of rest breaks and shock absorption. These stresses are one of the major contributors to the development of high blood pressure. What Can Drivers Do To Manage or Prevent High Blood Pressure Though it can be fatal, hypertension is manageable. The nature of their job exposes professional drivers to an increased risk for many serious health conditions including heart diseases and hypertension. Here are the things which drivers should observe in order to remain healthy despite their unfavourable working conditions. Observing a Healthy Diet Eating a healthy and balanced diet is one of the most effective natural ways in controlling the level of blood pressure. Fat intake should be less than 25% of the total food taken and diet should be mainly composed of low simple carbohydrates, low fat and high fibre foods to achieve optimum results. Losing Weight Hypertension increases one's risk for hypertension. According to research, as weight increases, a person's susceptibility to hypertension also increases. Losing and maintaining a healthy weight level are beneficial in managing high blood pressure. The more weight lost, the better the blood pressure is. Avoid Smoking According to statistics, tobacco and cigarette smoking are one of the leading causes of cardiovascular mortality which could have been avoided. Also, smokers are at a greater risk of suffering from high blood pressure. Smoking actually affects the acidity of the blood as well as its flow to the heart. Smoking cessation is highly recommended to smoking professional drivers to improve their working conditions thereby resulting to a reduced stress burden. Improved Physical Activity Exercising is probably one of the most effective drug-free approaches in managing high blood pressure. Regular exercise actually brings a number of profound benefits to the human body. Aside from its weight loss effects, regular exercise can also help in improving blood circulation and in relieving stress. It strengthens the heart thereby promoting healthier circulation of blood. In effect, the heart needs not to pump and work harder. This gives less pressure on the arteries thereby reducing the level of blood pressure. Cutting Down Alcohol Intake Consumption Alcohol actually contains high levels of calories which is a risk factor for hypertension. Also, high calorie intake is associated with weight gain, which is also a risk factor for high blood pressure. Aside from increasing the level of blood pressure, alcohol intake can also affect the effectiveness of medications for hypertension. Reducing Stress Prolonged exposure to driving actually increases the level of stress. As much as possible, take regular breaks, vacations, days off and avoid overtime. Stress can actually aggravate hypertension. Also, scientists claim that reduction in stress level is beneficial in lowering high blood pressure. Check out great FREE guides from this important health series written by Rebecca Sophia Meade, the health expert, and brought to you by Cover 4 Fleet Insurance. This UK fleet insurance specialist is constantly sourcing great information to help the professional driving community.
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