Nearly two-thirds of working men have continued working despite believing they should seek medical advice or take time off to recover, according to new research.
Commissioned by not-for-profit healthcare provider Benenden Health, the research found that 66% of working men aged 30 to 55 had worked through ill health when they felt they should have sought medical attention or taken sick leave. More than two-thirds (69%) also admitted ignoring symptoms or health concerns they were worried about, while 27% said they had done so on more than one occasion.
The survey of 2,000 UK working men found work pressures were among the main reasons for delaying action. Almost a quarter (23%) of respondents said they were too busy with work to seek help, while one in five (20%) said they did not want to "make a fuss". Around two-thirds (66%) said they had experienced a significant health-related "wake-up call" that prompted them to take their health more seriously.