SEP 10, 2020
The main purpose of the OGUK medical is to ensure the health of individuals in the industry: healthy individuals make for a healthy industry. Where there is an extreme overpressure in a pipe it may burst but, with a less extreme overpressure the pipes are subject to increased wear.
The arteries are the pipes through which blood flows and they are able to withstand significant overpressure so it is unusual to prevent someone going offshore because of overpressure. Of more concern is that arteries respond to sustained low grade overpressure by becoming thicker and so they start to become easier to block. Where blockage occurs in the heart, the individual would have a heart attack, in the brain a stroke is the outcome.
The only way of identifying overpressure is to measure the pressure: hence the need to buy a machine and take the BP during the video examination.
Some people feel that they have 'White Coat syndrome' however, while they may get a lower number in different circumstances, the evidence (https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.l4186) is that these people are at increased risk and should carefully monitor the blood pressure to avoid future illness. It is unusual for mild-moderate hypertension (overpressure) to prevent someone from working offshore.
BP Machines are available in pharmacies for around £20.
OGUK/OEUK medicals can be completed remotely in line with the latest OEUK standards.
Book online and attend by secure video call with the doctor at your scheduled time. Your medical data is stored securely.
On completion, your certificate is emailed immediately and remains available to download any time through your secure account.
