Research

Job stress: Bad bosses are bad for blood pressure, a new study says.

The study in Occupational and Environmental Medicine shows that bosses judged to be habitually unfair and unreasonable increased women workers' blood pressure readings over three working days.

The small study followed 28 women who scored their supervisors' interpersonal style.

Among subjects who considered their supervisors unfair, blood pressure rose an average of 15 milligrams of mercury on the systolic scale (the top number) and 7 milligrams on the diastolic scale (the lower number).

An increase of 10 milligrams on the systolic and 5 milligrams on the diastolic scale is associated with a 16 percent increased risk of heart disease and a 38 percent increased risk of stroke.

Workers' blood pressure dipped when they worked with supervisors they considered fair, described as giving timely feedback, praise and respect and being consistent, impartial and adaptable.

Tips

Safety: Doctors treated more than 18,000 fireworks-related injuries in 2002. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons offers these tips to stay safe on July 4:

• Young children shouldn't be allowed to play with fireworks.

• Light fireworks outdoors away from people, houses, dry leaves or grass and flammable materials.

• Keep a bucket of water handy for emergencies.

• Do not relight or handle malfunctioning fireworks.

• Don't ignite fireworks in a container, especially one made of glass or metal.

• Store fireworks in a cool, dry place, and keep unused fireworks away from firing areas.

Register

Campers: The Heart Center at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center is recruiting children 8 to 17 for its first summer camp for children and teens with heart disease. Camp Hopeful Hearts runs Aug. 11-15 at Joy Outdoor Education Center in Clarksville. Medical supervision will be provided round-the-clock. Information: Betsy Adler, 636-7257.

Calendar

Seniors: St. Elizabeth Medical Center is sponsoring two health events for seniors:

• A cataract/vision screening by appointment from 9 to 11 a.m. July 10 at Northern Kentucky Eye Institute and Laser Center in Edgewood. Appointments: (859) 578-5999.

• Phyllis Reed, nurse manager of the Women's Wellness Center at St. Elizabeth, presents "Strong Bones: How to Keep Them" at 7 p.m. July 23 at St. Elizabeth Medical Center South in Edgewood. Osteoporosis screenings will be available. Registration: (859) 578-5999.

Shelf help

How-to: Cooking up Fun for Kids with Diabetes (American Diabetes Association; $14.95) by dietitians Patti B. Geil and Tami A. Ross offers recipes, nutrition tips and humor for families affected by the disease.

Contact Peggy O'Farrell by phone, 768-8510; fax, 768-8330, or e-mail, pofarrell@enquirer.com