February brings an important reminder, American Heart Month. This designated period serves as a crucial opportunity to spotlight the significance of heart health, heart disease and educate employees. Understanding the gravity of heart-related issues and fostering habits that promote heart health is not just a personal responsibility but a collective commitment toward a healthier workforce. In 2021, 650,000 people in the United States died from heart disease, 1 in every 5 deaths. These statistics highlight the urgent need for proactive measures and heightened awareness regarding heart health.

American Heart Month serves as more than just a calendar event; it’s a rallying call to confront heart disease, a leading cause of death worldwide and in the United States. It aims to raise awareness about cardiovascular health, emphasizing preventive measures, healthy lifestyle choices and early detection of heart-related issues. For employees, it’s an invitation to prioritize their heart health, recognize risk factors and adopt practices that contribute to a healthier heart.

In the workplace, knowledge is power. Providing employees with comprehensive information on heart health can empower them to make informed choices. By arming employees with knowledge, employers equip them to take charge of their cardiovascular wellbeing. Heart disease can be silent until heart attack, heart failure or arrhythmia occur, which is why it is important to prioritize heart health before the worst-case scenario happens. 47% of Americans have at least one risk factor for heart disease which includes high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking and physical inactivity.

1 in 3 women in the US diagnosed with heart disease annually. Women are more likely to have heart attack symptoms that are unrelated to chest pain, such as shortness of breath, pain in arms or nausea, while men are more likely to experience chest pain as their main symptom. Education on the differences of symptoms between men and women can be lifesaving.

Promoting heart-healthy practices in the workplace goes beyond disseminating information. It involved fostering an environment that supports and encourages such behaviors. Encouraging physical activity by organizing group workouts or providing access to fitness facilities, offering healthy snacks, initiating challenges focused on steps or physical activities and encouraging breaks to reduce prolonged sitting can all contribute to a heart-healthy workplace culture.

Employers can play a pivotal role in supporting their employees’ heart health. Offering health insurance plans that cover preventive screenings, supporting smoking cessation programs, providing access to counseling services for stress reduction and incentivizing participation in wellness programs can significantly contribute to employees’ cardiovascular wellbeing. Offering voluntary benefits that support nutrition, chronic disease management and mental health can also be extremely beneficial to employees. Employers can and should encourage heart healthy practices year-round, including making a habit of completing annual health screenings, fostering healthy habits that become permanent lifestyle changes.

As we embrace American Heart Month, let’s remember that heart health is a journey different for everyone, requiring a commitment from both individuals and their employers. By educating, supporting and encouraging heart healthy practices, employers not only contribute to the wellbeing of their employees but also build a workplace that thrives on a foundation of good health and wellness. A healthy heart beats at the core of a healthy workforce.

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