[Effect of occupational physical work on blood pressure]

The present knowledge on blood pressure variability during occupational physical activity is based almost exclusively on the results obtained from the exercise tests, either isotonic (dynamic) or isometric (static). The findings of several studies indicate that during isotonic exercise in normotensive subjects the systolic blood pressure increases whereas the diastolic blood pressure shows only minor changes. In the hypertensives, both systolic and diastolic pressures tend to increase more substantially. Isometric exercise causes transient systemic hypertension but with individual differences. The exercise test reveal only transient values of systemic blood pressure and they are usually performed in a laboratory or at intervals during the workshift and after work. But still little is known how prolonged occupational physical work affects blood pressure and which of the work factors are involved. Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, which makes it possible to obtain many readings a day also during normal working activity, seems to be an important new tool in the research into blood pressure variability. Certainly, it should be helpful in finding answers to some of the questions relating to that problem.