EL PASO, Texas -- To help drivers become aware of potential blood pressure problems, Petro Stopping Centers LP has installed free blood pressure monitors at most of its 63 locations nationwide.
The decision to install the monitors is in response to recently imposed stricter federal government regulations requiring professional drivers to have blood pressure of 140/90 or below, instead of the old standard of 160/90, which was needed to maintain a CDL. The ability of drivers to routinely monitor their blood pressure on stops at Petro locations will help [image-nocss] drivers improve their exercise and diet routines and promote better health.
The units are manufactured by Life Clinic Health Management Systems, who have a national network of machines at retail stores such as Kmart, Winn-Dixie and Wal-Mart. The truckstop health stations will be supplied by Healthy Trucker Info LLC, who will sell advertising on panels a driver can read while having his blood pressure checked. The units will be serviced monthly by TransCore on their regular service visits to the locations.
Giving drivers the ability to check their blood pressure will provide a much-needed service and give drivers another reason to stop at Petro, said David McClure, marketing director for the El Paso, Texas-based travel center operator.
Professional drivers appear to be at greater risk for hypertension and the ensuing cardiovascular complications than those in other occupations, according to Novartis, the world's leading maker of blood pressure medications. Each year, 75% of driver deaths are attributed to high blood pressure and heart-related diseases. Almost 40% of commercial drivers who have worked for more than 20 years have hypertension, but only a third of these individuals know they have it and receive adequate treatment, Novartis said.
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