[Effect of professional work and environmental factors on arterial blood pressure]

Polish population is characterized by a high prevalence of cardiovascular diseases, including arterial hypertension. At present, the studies on the factors favouring the development of hypertension are carried out in many countries. The results of recent studies concerning the association between work and arterial hypertension have been discussed. As far as intellectual work is concerned, the role of psychic stress was considered, whereas in the context of physical work the effects of acute and chronic physical effort on changes in arterial blood pressure were presented. Environmental factors leading to the development of hypertension such as noise, alcohol, excess of sodium and deficiency of other elements in the diet have been discussed. The currently studied influence of tobacco smoking on arterial hypertension was presented.