Promoting cardiovascular health in the workplace: results of a lifestyle intervention on blood pressure and cardiovascular risk factors

Objective: The workplace is a pivotal setting for implementing lifestyle interventions aimed at improving blood pressure management and cardiovascular health. This study aims to evaluate the impact of a comprehensive lifestyle intervention on blood pressure and other cardiovascular risk factors among employees of a kitchen appliances manufacturing company. Design and method: A total of 266 adults (39.2±10.6 years; 75.9% women) employed in the company were divided into three groups: Lifestyle intervention (n= 86), Health Education (n= 85), and Active Breaks (n = 95). All groups received guidance on healthy lifestyle behaviors. Moreover, the lifestyle group participated in a weekly session of resistance exercises tailored to their workstations and a daily 10-minute active break comprising stretching, coordination, and range of motion exercises. The active breaks group engaged in the daily active break, while the education group solely received guidance on healthy lifestyles. Resting blood pressure, body weight, body mass index, waist circumference, total cholesterol, and physical activity were evaluated at baseline and after the 7-month intervention. Results: At baseline, participant characteristics (e.g., age, body mass index, resting blood pressure, total cholesterol) were similar across the three groups. Systolic blood pressure (mean difference: 117.8 ± 15.8 to 118.1 ± 14.8 mmHg, p<.05) did not change from baseline to the end of the intervention in either group. However, diastolic blood pressure significantly decreased in all groups from baseline to the end of the intervention (mean difference: 1.9 ± 6.2 mmHg, 95% CI: 1.2 – 2.7 mmHg), without a group X time interaction. Waist circumference and total cholesterol also decreased in all the groups by 0.7 cm (95% CI: 0.2 – 1.0 cm) and 5.5 mg/dL (95% CI: 3.8 – 9.3 mg/dL), respectively, without a group X time interaction. Moderate intensity physical activity levels increased from 330.5±543.4 to 390.5±562.3 MET-min/wk, with a significant group X time interaction; only the Active Breaks group demonstrated a significant increase in moderate-intensity physical activity. Conclusions: Among middle-aged adults, a workplace lifestyle intervention, irrespective of its intensity, led to significant improvements in diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, waist circumference, and moderate physical activity.