Most people derive satisfaction from their work. It is a source of self-affirmation and lends meaning to their lives. But if they happen to suffer from high blood pressure they must arrange their work schedule so as to eliminate too much pressure and long, irregular hours. A long work day with only a short lunch break becomes more problematical for the person with high blood pressure the older he gets, and the severity of his hypertension is directly related to the degree of difficulty and responsibility of his job. Coffee, nicotine or possibly even stronger stimulants are not the answer to afternoon fatigue, especially not if you have high blood pressure. Instead, try to get enough rest during your lunch break. Give yourself a chance to unwind and your blood pressure a chance to go down. If you do this you will come back in the afternoon relaxed and rested. Try to arrange your work schedule so that you can get this noonday rest.

In setting up your work schedule try to follow these rules:

• Avoid all extraneous stress and overexertion

Avoid long hours, night work, or shift work

Try to keep a regular schedule

Lunch periods of at least 1 hour with short naps if possible

Ask your plant doctor for advice. In some rare instances a change of jobs may even be indicated. Hypertensives should avoid strenuous physical labor, especially if it involves lifting and carrying heavy loads, as well as jobs in which the possible side effects of their medication could affect their own safety and that of others, for example: truck drivers, airplane pilots, crane operators, construction workers, etc. If you have high blood pressure and are working in one of these fields try to get advice on retraining for another job or profession.

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