Lifestyle-related diseases are on the rise in our country. It’s time to turn this trend around!

Since people spend most of their time at work, employers are in a great position to turn this trend around. Not only is this the right thing to do, but businesses can benefit financially from a prevention and wellness culture. Prevention is a smart business strategy.

About Heart Disease

The term “heart disease” refers to several types of heart conditions. The most common type in the United States is coronary artery disease, which can cause heart attack, angina, heart failure, and arrhythmias.

Here are a few quick facts about heart disease:

• Heart disease and stroke remain the first and third leading causes of death, accounting for more than 30% of all mortality, and are among the leading causes of disability.
• 1 million Americans are disabled from strokes; many can no longer perform daily tasks, such as walking or bathing, without help.
• In 2003, approximately 37% of adults reported having two or more of the major risk factors for heart disease and stroke (high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, current smoking, physical inactivity, and obesity).
• In 2010, heart disease will cost the United States $316.4 billion. This total includes the cost of health care services, medications, and lost productivity.

Source: CDC

What causes heart disease?

Preventable chronic diseases are the outcome of our unhealthy choices. 

Poor lifestyle choices are the primary cause of chronic conditions, including heart disease. Lack of physical activity, poor nutrition, tobacco use, and excessive alcohol consumption are all major contributors to increased risk of heart disease. As we expose ourselves to these risk factors over time, we develop the chronic diseases that result in poor health and the related consequences.

Preventing Chronic Disease Begins With Behavior Change!

Preventing heart disease and other chronic diseases at your workplace begins with changing the behavior of your employees. Better behaviors lead to lower risks and better health outcomes.

This isn’t something we can force on employees, but is something we do with and for them as part of your company’s wellness culture and comprehensive wellness program.

The first step? Educating and making your employees aware of the behaviors and risk factors that lead to chronic disease.

Heart Disease Awareness Handout

One simple and low cost way to increase awareness and educate employees is through handouts.  Click the button below to download a PDF copy of our Heart Disease Awareness handout.

Mark Middlesworth, MS, ATC/L, CEES, has been providing workplace injury prevention services since 1988. Mark is the founder of Ergonomics Plus, author of Building Wellness from the Inside Out, and a member of the National Speakers Association.

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