American Heart Month

February is American Heart Month, a time to raise awareness about the importance of heart health and to encourage individuals to make lifestyle changes to improve their heart health. As one of the leading causes of death worldwide, heart disease affects millions of people, making it important to take steps to prevent it.

In the workplace, employees spend a significant portion of their day sitting and may not be as active as they could be. This sedentary lifestyle, combined with poor eating habits, can lead to heart disease and other health problems. To help raise awareness about heart health in the office, there are several things that employers can do to promote a healthy workplace culture.

Why Promote American Heart Month

Nearly half of Americans are battling heart disease, there’s a good chance a percentage of your employees are, too. Educational heart campaigns are a simple way to spread awareness through your workplace. The easiest way? Share heart disease facts with your employees during American Heart Month. Doing so increases awareness and starts the conversation about the importance of heart health. Here are a few facts you can share with your team:

  •  1 in 4 Americans dies of heart disease.
  • Atherosclerosis is the most common cause of cardiovascular disease.
  • Heart disease symptoms can be caused by heart defects.
  • Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women.
  • Heart and blood vessel disease are also known simply as “heart disease.”
  • Risk factors include age, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol levels, smoking, family history, diabetes, obesity, stress, poor hygiene, and physical inactivity.

Encourage Physical Activity

Encourage employees to take regular breaks from sitting and to engage in physical activity throughout the day. This could include taking walks, doing stretches, or participating in a workplace fitness program.

Offer Healthy Food Options

Providing healthy food options in the workplace can help employees make better food choices. Encourage employees to bring in healthy snacks and drinks and to replace high-fat and high-sugar items with healthier alternatives.

Promote a Healthy Work-Life Balance

A healthy work-life balance is essential for overall health and well-being. Encourage employees to take time off when they need it and to prioritize their health and well-being.

Educate Employees

Provide educational resources and information about heart health to employees. This could include distributing informational materials, hosting lunch-and-learn sessions, or inviting speakers to talk about heart health.

Lead By Example

Finally, it is important for employers to lead by example. Encourage senior management to take an active role in promoting heart health and to make heart-healthy lifestyle changes themselves.