Risk factor prevalence and target organ damage in working-age men with stress-induced arterial hypertension

Abstract

Aim. To investigate risk factors (RF) and target organ damage (TOD) prevalence in working-age men with stressinduced arterial hypertension (AH). Material and methods. The study included 100 males, working as machinists and machinist assistants, with blood pressure (BP) above 140/90 mm Hg. Control group included males working as railway assemblers (n=40). General physical, laboratory, and instrumental examinations were performed, including psycho-mental test (PMT). Results. TOD was quite prevalent among normotensive males. Twenty-four hour BP monitoring (BPM) demonstrated the difference in mean BP levels at workplace and during weekend, that confirmed stress-induced AH diagnosis. Psychoemotional stress tests are highly sensitive in stress reactivity assessment among individuals with high professional stress levels. These tests can help in identifying AH risk groups. Conclusion. For early diagnostics and adequate therapy choice in patients with high psychoemotional stress levels, not only RF and TOD control, but also 24-hour BPM at workplace and during weekend, and PMT, are necessary.

Keywords

• risk factors
• stress
• arterial hypertension
• target organs