A new study has shown that people who experience workplace discrimination may face a higher risk of developing high blood pressure.
The research, published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, defined workplace discrimination as unfair treatment or unpleasant conditions at work because of personal characteristics such as race, sex, or age.
This can have a big impact on a person’s long-term health, as high blood pressure is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
The study’s lead author, Dr. Jian Li, explained that while previous research has examined the impact of systemic racism and discrimination on health, few studies have specifically looked at the health effects of workplace discrimination.
The researchers believe this is the first scientific evidence that workplace discrimination may increase the long-term risk of developing high blood pressure.
The study analyzed data from a national sample of 1,246 adults across a range of occupations and education levels.
Participants were asked about their work experiences, including whether they felt they were treated unfairly, whether they were watched or ignored more closely than others, whether job promotions were rewarded fairly, and how often they were exposed to racial, ethnic, or sexual slurs or jokes.
After about eight years of follow-up, 319 participants reported developing high blood pressure.
Those who experienced intermediate or high levels of workplace discrimination were more likely to develop high blood pressure than those who experienced low levels.
Those who experienced high levels of discrimination were 54% more likely to develop high blood pressure than their peers who did not.
However, the study had several limitations, including the fact that most participants were white and that high blood pressure was self-reported.
The authors suggest that stronger government and employer anti-discrimination policies are needed to better protect workers’ health.
This study highlights the importance of workplace fairness and the impact it can have on our health.
It is essential that employers and organizations create a safe and inclusive environment for their employees to ensure their long-term health and well-being.
How to prevent high blood pressure
There are several ways to prevent high blood pressure, including:
Eat a healthy diet: A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy products can help lower blood pressure.
Maintain a healthy weight: Being overweight or obese can increase the risk of high blood pressure. Losing weight and maintaining a healthy weight can help lower blood pressure.
Exercise regularly: Regular physical activity can help lower blood pressure. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise most days of the week.
Limit alcohol consumption: Drinking too much alcohol can raise blood pressure. Men should limit alcohol intake to two drinks per day, and women should limit intake to one.
Quit smoking: Smoking can raise blood pressure and increase the risk of heart disease. Quitting smoking can help lower blood pressure.
Reduce sodium intake: Eating too much sodium can raise blood pressure. Aim for no more than 2,300 milligrams of sodium per day.
Manage stress: Chronic stress can raise blood pressure. Finding healthy ways to manage stress, such as meditation or exercise, can help lower blood pressure.
Get enough sleep: Lack of sleep can raise blood pressure. Aim for at least seven hours of sleep per night.
By following these steps, you can help prevent high blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease and other complications. It’s important to talk to your healthcare provider about any concerns you may have about your blood pressure or overall health.
If you care about blood pressure, please read studies about cannabis linked to 3-times higher death risk in high blood pressure, and beetroot juice could help lower high blood pressure.
For more information about blood pressure, please see recent studies about how to treat slightly high blood pressure, and results showing plant pigment can strongly reduce blood pressure.
The study was published in the Journal of the American Heart Association.
Copyright © 2023 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
