Hypertension

摘要

Question: I have been checking my blood pressure at home and it is starting to creep up. How does high blood pressure affect my flight career and what should I do about it? FS: Causes & Background Blood pressure is measured in units of millimeters of mercury (mmHg) and is recorded using two numbers, as in "120 over 80" or 120/80.The first number is the systolic blood pressure (pressure in the arteries during a heartbeat) and the second number is the diastolic pressure (pressure in the arteries when the heart relaxes between heartbeats). Hypertension, or "high" blood pressure, is defined by Aviation medicine standards as a systolic pressure consistently greater than 140, diastolic pressure consistently greater than 90, or both. Hypertension can be caused by many factors including smoking, being overweight, improper diet, lack of physical activity, excessive alcohol consumption, aging, genetics and a stressful work or living environment. Untreated hypertension may result in a pounding sensation in one's chest or head, dizziness and/or lightheadedness causing unsafe distractions in the cockpit. However, the effects of hypertension most often go unnoticed as the condition increases the risk of stroke, heart disease, kidney damage and even dementia. Proper management of hypertension is crucial to help safeguard your quality of life, your safety in flight and the longevity of your flying career.