HYPERTENSION IN HEALTHCARE WORKERS FROM A HOSPITAL CENTRE

Abstract

Introduction: Cardiovascular diseases are the main death cause in Portugal and hypertension is a major risk factor. This study aims to evaluate a Hospital Centre workers’ blood pressure values and its relationship with social, demographic and occupational variables.

Methods: There were selected healthcare workers who were employed between 2011 until 2021. It was collected the following data: systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), gender, age, tobacco use, department, professional group, educational background and hypertension treatment.

Results: There were selected 809 healthcare workers. Workers’ SBP and DBP under hypertension treatment was higher than not treated workers. SBP of smokers was higher than non-smokers. SBP of Nursing Aids was higher than Nurses and Diagnostic and Therapeutic Technicians. SBP and DBP of workers with 10th-12th grade and 5th-6th grade was higher than Bachelor’s and Master’s degree.

Conclusions: Differences found in the basic descriptive analysis can contribute to the relationships found. Its knowledge sets up the adoption of directed preventive strategies.