Many sailors suffer from chronic diseases, that is, illnesses which usually last for long periods of time, even throughout their entire lives. There are many, different types of chronic diseases, with cardiovascular diseases, such as hypertension and heart failure, being the most common.
During their service on the ship, sailors are called upon to effectively manage the chronic diseases from which they suffer, in order to ensure their overall health and well-being and to protect themselves from the risk of their condition worsening while at sea.
This text focuses on hypertension, which occurs when the pressure exerted by the circulating blood on the walls of the blood vessels is consistently too high. Hypertension can be caused by many factors, such as diet, stress, genetic predisposition, age, and lack of physical activity. If hypertension is not diagnosed or is managed incorrectly, it can lead to serious and long-term health problems.
Recommendations for sailors with hypertension
The following apply to all sailors, but are particularly important for controlling high blood pressure and other cardiovascular diseases:
Source: Britannia P&I Club
