Prevalence, management, and control of hypertension among US workers: does occupation matter?

Abstract

The role of occupation in the management of cardiovascular risk factors including hypertension is not well known. We analyzed the 1999-2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data of 6928 workers aged 20 years or older from 40 occupational groups. Hypertension was defined as measured blood pressure of 140/90 mm Hg or greater or self-reported use of antihypertensive medication, treatment as use of antihypertensive medication, awareness as ever being told by a doctor about having hypertension, and control as having blood pressure of less than 140/90 mm Hg among treated participants. Protective service workers ranked among the lowest in awareness (50.6%), treatment (79.3%), and control (47.7%) and had lower odds of hypertension control and treatment compared with executive/administrative/managerial workers, adjusting for sociodemographic, body-weight, smoking, and alcohol. Protective service workers may benefit the most from worksite hypertension management programs.