# Maritime Health Research and Education-NET/The International Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Hypertension Research Group/Revision of the WHO International Medical Guide for Ships

Preliminary proposals to be added in the ongoing revision

## Self-hypertensive control on board and at home[edit | edit source]

Self-monitoring of hypertension is necessary to monitor self-management (Instructions and the relevant equipment in the Ships medical Chest on board is required). In addition, courses are needed as well as revisions to the International Medical Guide for Ships (check ships’ medical Chest) During sailing it shall be possible to measure blood pressure in individuals having treatment for high blood pressure. At least two automatic apparatus should be available on all ships in case one of the devices breaks.

## Measure Your Blood Pressure on a Regular Basis[edit | edit source]

Measuring your blood pressure is an important step toward keeping a healthy blood pressure. Because high blood pressure and elevated blood pressure often have no symptoms, checking your blood pressure is the only way to know for sure whether it is too high. You can measure your blood pressure at home and at sea with a home blood pressure monitor Learn steps you can take to lower your risk for health problems from high blood pressure such as heart disease and stroke. Request equipments should be in the Ships Medical Chest

## Self-management of diabetes and hypertension on board and at home[edit | edit source]

Self-monitoring of blood glucose for non-insulin-treated adults with Type 2 diabetes is necessary. Instructions and relevant equipment in the medical chest on board are needed and have been added to the actual revision of the International Medical Guide for Ships and the Inventory lists (HbA1c test-kit). Request that equipment for self-control of diabetes type 2 should be in the Ships Medical Chest.The Norwegian Gard association is one of the advisors for healthy diet and exercises while on board. Conclusion: The results of our study demonstrate that more than four in six (68.5%) seafarers aged between 19 and 70 years have at least one of the modifiable CVD risk factors. Therefore, CVD prevention and modifiable risk factors reduction strategies targeting high-risk groups should be designed and implemented on board ships

## Workplace hypertension, diabetes prevention programs is needed in all ships

There is evidence that the prevention of diabetes, hypertension and metabolic syndrome should not only be for diseased seafarers. All crew will benefit from an overall prevention strategy culture on board all ships: One Italian study demonstrate that more than four in six (68.5%) seafarers aged between 19 and 70 years have at least one of the modifiable CVD risk factors. Therefore, CVD prevention and modifiable risk factors reduction strategies targeting high-risk groups should be designed and implemented on board shipsMetabolic syndrome was found in 25.9% among male and 10.7% among female Danish seafarers The overall prevalence of hypertension in the study population was 44.7% (95% CI 40.8-48.6). In a comparison sample of adult Danes, the crude rate of hypertension was 12.6%. In addition, 41.8% (95% CI 38.0-45.7) of seafarers were pre-hypertensive. Hypertension was particularly increased among younger seafarers. The proportion of seafarers in antihypertensive treatment was low, in particular among the young seafarers. There is evidence that an overall workplace implementation of diabetes prevention is cost-effective