February is American Heart Month! Here is an “HR Appropriate” way to celebrate Valentine’s Day in the workplace! Raise awareness for heart health, get it? Sponsor a heart healthy event, plan a potluck of heart healthy food, or post heart healthy tips around the office. According to the CDC:

• About 600,000 people die of heart disease in the United States every year–that’s 1 in every 4 deaths.
• Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women. More than half of the deaths due to heart disease in 2009 were in men.
• Coronary heart disease is the most common type of heart disease, killing more than 385,000 people annually.
• Every year about 935,000 Americans have a heart attack. Of these, 610,000 are a first heart attack. 325,000 happen in people who have already had a heart attack.
• Coronary heart disease alone costs the United States $108.9 billion each year. This total includes the cost of health care services, medications, and lost productivity.

Know Your Risk Factors:

• High blood pressure
• High LDL cholesterol
• Smoking

(About half of Americans (49%) have at least one of these three risk factors!) High Risk Medical Conditions & Lifestyle Choices:

• Diabetes
• Overweight and obesity
• Poor diet
• Physical inactivity
• Excessive alcohol use

What Can We Do? Lowering you blood pressure and cholesterol will reduce your risk of dying of heart disease. Here are some tips to protect your heart:

• Follow your doctor’s instructions and stay on your medications.
• Eat a healthy diet that is low in salt; low in total fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol; and rich in fresh fruits and vegetables.
• Take a brisk 10-minute walk, 3 times a day, 5 days a week.
• Don’t smoke. If you smoke, quit as soon as possible.

HR Strategies‘ EAP Consultants can help with smoking cessation and heart health! Call us today to learn more! 770.339.0000