Several factors can contribute to the development of high
blood pressure-age, weight, family history and diet among
them. But one of the leading causes is stress, and that puts
a lot of farmers at risk.
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is
dangerous because it makes the heart work too hard. (See
"What is Blood Pressure?") According to the National Heart,
Lung and Blood Institute, it can increase the risk for heart
disease and stroke, the first and third leading causes of
death in America.
Also, high blood pressure can lead to other health problems
such as heart failure, kidney disease and blindness.
"High blood pressure affects farmers as it would individuals
in any other profession, although some of the additional
stress of farming may lead to increased problems," says
Carolyn Sheridan, a registered nurse in Spencer, Iowa.
Sheridan knows the risks well because she works with
AgriSafe, an organization that provides preventive health
care and safety services for farm families and workers in
northwestern Iowa. One of the many services AgriSafe offers
is blood-pressure screening.
"We go out to fairs in Iowa and offer free blood-pressure
and cholesterol screenings," says Sheridan. If a farmer's
blood pressure is high, the screener will suggest that the
individual see his or her physician. If the person does not
have a family doctor, AgriSafe will help them find one.
In addition, Sheridan says, "We encourage farmers to eat
right, get rest, take breaks and reduce stress." But this
can be a challenge. "It is difficult to tell farmers to cut
back on work during harvest," she adds.
"Most farmers tend to see a physician only when they are ill
or have an injury. We don't see many farmers in their 20s
and 30s," Sheridan says. This can be dangerous, because most
hypertensive people have no symptoms. High blood pressure
can only be detected through testing and must be treated by
a physician.
Regular visits to the doctor can be beneficial to your
overall health. And a short, painless blood pressure exam
could prove to be a lifesaver.