High-stress jobs can lead to serious health issues
Working in a high-stress environment – whether as a police officer, a firefighter or in a similar job – can take a toll on your health. It can lead to high blood pressure, which is also known as hypertension. Over time, high blood pressure can cause other serious health complications.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), seven out of ten individuals who suffer their first heart attack have high blood pressure. Similarly, eight out of ten individuals who suffered a stroke also had high blood pressure. Other health risks include:
- Chest pain
- Damage to vessels and arteries
- Blood clots and aneurysms
- Heart failure
- Thickening of the muscle around your heart
- Kidney disease
What can you do?
When your job involves high-stress situations, it is important that you work with your doctor to monitor your health. If you are able to treat the symptoms of hypertension early, you may be able to avoid health issues down the road.
What if you have developed a health issue?
If you developed hypertension at work, your treatment may be covered by workers’ compensation. In general, workers’ compensation benefits cover all illnesses, conditions and injuries that arise as a result of your job. This includes sudden injuries in a work accident as well as medical conditions that develop over time.
Firefighters, law enforcement, EMTs and other workers in high-stress situations may be able to secure benefits to help cover the cost of medical treatment and a portion of their lost wages. These cases can be difficult to prove, however. If you developed hypertension during work, it may be beneficial to speak with an attorney about your situation and get advice about your case.
