Introduction - Public Safety Medicine

Cardiovascular Disease: Hypertension

sec_arr Introduction

Author: Thomas Hales, MD, MPH

Publication year: 2017

Updated: 2026

SECTIONS

Introduction

Public safety workers (PSW) with known hypertension (HTN) may be capable of safe and effective job performance. However, PSWs with HTN are at increased risk for sudden incapacitation, jeopardizing their ability to perform critical job functions,1 (see also Essential Job Functions). Therefore, an individualized assessment of the PSW is needed to ensure safe and effective job performance. The person conducting the evaluation must be familiar with the following 2:

  • the physiologic demands of the critical job functions;
  • HTN and its management; and
  • the risk for sudden incapacitation associated with HTN.