Hypertension 21: New Specialist Supports Less Stress At Work

Stress in any workplace, and its impact on workers, is a controversial issue. Ask any union representative. These days, many workplaces are dominated by pressure to produce. That can be fair enough, hey we have to compete, or provide good service to clients, or whatever--although at times the human element can be lost. Workers are people, not robots.

I think Scott Adams, who writes Dilbert, would agree.

Stress related to a disability is also controversial, although you'd think that there is a clear medical/scientific connection between the disability, the stress, and a negative impact on the patient. I had been cautioned most specialists would stay away from making a connection between Hypertension and workplace stress. In part this is because treatment of Hypertension involves one's entire lifestyle. It is not, as you have read on this blog, just a matter of popping pills. Treating Hypertension involves exercise, dieting and calming one's life generally--i.e. where possible, reducing stress.

It never made sense to me that stress in the workplace should not be linked with Hypertension. Anxiety can, temporarily, increase blood pressure. Who could doubt that? Whose heart has not 'pounded' in one's chest during a crisis? Does not a crisis include pressure to produce more and more (ask any worker who's producing more, and working more overtime, in the hope that his or her job will not be outsourced overseas)?

My friends, we spend about half our waking hours at work. How can it be that what happens at work does not have a direct impact on us? Think about it. We sleep for eight hours. We work for eight hours. That only leaves eight more hours for everything else, including shopping, eating, driving to and from work, and watching television to relax after working.

Denial that workplace stress has an impact on the worker, arguing that Hypertension is a 'lifestyle' issue with no relation to the workplace--that position certainly helps the employer avoid any responsibility for any negative workplace situations. Helps the employer but doesn't help the rest of us.

I'm writing this because today my union forwarded to me the letter sent by specialist number two. The letter I'd been waiting for. A short letter. Here is the key part:

"Mr. Schwartzman has a medical condition that is exacerbated by high levels of stress at work and this makes the treatment plan difficult. He is certainly adherent to our suggetions and follows our recommendations for treatment. It would be appreciated if there was an alternate arrangement such that there are lower levels of stress at work which would hopefully make the treatment plan more efficacious as well. We thank you for your cooperation in advance."

This should be the information my employer and union say theyneed to make a change in my workplace situation. If you have Hypertension, I hope it gives you something to look forward to, as well.

Hypertension 15: Back To Work, For 2.5 Days

Two weeks of taking my own blood pressure sure woke this puppy up! Up until now I'd been incredibly lazy. Or, if you prefer, North American. No exercise, no real dieting. Popping pills was supposed to solve everything.

Now I had to face the ugly truth: obviously, I was not popping enough pills. Or the right pills.

Wake up Victor: pills alone were not the whole solution.

Also, I had tended to blame my high readings on my stressful workplace. True, they could have remained high during my two weeks off work because I was worried about returning to work--but that seemed less likely than my having high blood pressure no matter what.

Reality check time!

I hate reality when it checks me. Don't you?

After my two weeks off work, I returned. I was back for exactly two and a half days. On the afternoon of the third day I saw the specialist again. During the two and a half days at work, my blood pressure was on average much higher than when I had been at home. At home, it was anywhere from 160 to 200 systolic, while at work it basically was always above 180. Stress at work appeared to be a significant part of the problem.

The specialist looked at the readings while I was off work, and the readings when I returned, and that was that:

--I was taken off work again, this time for several months, from October 4, 2006 through to early February, 2007
--I was put on three additional prescription medications, for a total of four (actually just two pills, each containing two meds)
--I was reminded I was at stage one obese, I was re-informed about the benefits of exercise, and he frowned at me meaningfully

I had ignored natural remedies such as dieting and exercise. Truthfully, who knew if they would have helped. No one knew where my Hypertension came from, or when it started, or for that matter why it started when it did. Hypertension can be hereditary, and perhaps no amount of weight loss or exercise would make a difference. But, on the other hand, having not exercised or dieted, I would not know that, would I? Oh, spank me! Spank me now! At your place, tonight!

Drat Reality Checks! Why at least are they not Reality Cheques? Then I could cash them in!

I had ignored exercise and dieting and lifestyle changes in favour of the North American solution of pills. Because of my ignor(ance), I was now on MORE pills and STRONGER pills! And I was now forced to come face to face with the exercise/diet face-off! Where was the fairness?

Yes, life was not fair--especially when I had done it to myself and could not blame...you! my wife! my children! the dog! Karl Rove! --anyone but…me!!