Lynchburg Business

Taking Care Of Your Heart

Issue: February 2010 by Lynchburg Business in Healthcare, Inside The Magazine

Heart disease is expensive. More importantly, it costs lives. As the leading cause of death for both men and women, heart disease kills more than 600,000 people every year. It also costs billions of dollars. In 2009, the bill for heart disease in the United States was approximately $304 billion for health care services, medications and lost productivity, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In 2001, the first-ever evaluation of employee health on a national level, The Health Status of the United States Workforce found that heart disease is the strongest risk factor for reduced work productivity. A recent report by Pfizer, based on findings from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2002 and the National Health Interview Survey of 2005, found that employees diagnosed with heart disease miss an average of 14 workdays per year compared with those without heart disease, who lose an average of four workdays per year. Workers with heart disease were also found to be four times more likely than workers without heart disease to report work limitations.

In a 2007 study published in Value in Health, researchers found that common cardiometabolic risk factor clusters (overweight/obesity, hyperlipidemia, diabetes and hypertension) in the same individual resulted in $17.3 billion in lost productivity because of employee absence and days in bed. Employees and employers can make a difference in these statistics—and improve productivity—through both personal and corporate action.

Who’s at risk?

Certain factors, including medical conditions and lifestyle choices, translate into a higher risk for heart disease. Risk factors include:

•  Smoking

•  High blood pressure

•  High cholesterol

•  Family history of premature cardiovascular disease

•  Diabetes

•  Overweight and obesity

•  Poor diet

•  Physical inactivity

Although employees may not be able to change some of their risk factors, such as age and family history, they can lessen their risk of developing cardiovascular disease through lifestyle modifications and disease management. The following five behaviors decrease cardiac disease by more than 80 percent:

• Not smoking

• Maintaining a healthy body weight

• Exercising more than 30 minutes a day

• Eating a nutritious diet

• Moderate alcohol consumption (3.5 drinks per week)

Smoking cessation must be emphasized. Smoking is the single most preventable cause of death in the United States and is a major cause of heart disease among women. In addition, eating a Mediterranean diet, which is high in the Omega-3 fatty acids found in certain fish (salmon, mackerel and sardines) and nuts, such as almonds, can drastically reduce the risk for coronary disease. Fish capsule supplements may be taken if fish or nuts are not able to be consumed in adequate amounts. Healthy food selections also include fruits and vegetables, whole grains (instead of refined carbohydrates), low-fat or nonfat dairy products, legume and low-fat protein foods. Studies show that a healthy diet reduces the risk for both people who have already had heart disease as well as those who have not.

The American Heart Association recommends 30 to 40 minutes of moderate to high intensity exercise five to six days a week, which can include vigorous walking—such that you can carry on a conversation but notice a degree of exertion—as well as jogging or running. Low resistance weight training is recommended for senior citizens. It is advisable to speak with your physician before beginning any new exercise program. About one in three American adults has high blood pressure. Although high blood pressure may be genetic, it can be controlled by dietary modifications such as reducing salt intake, weight loss, exercise and, if needed, medication as recommended by your physician.

People with high cholesterol have approximately twice the risk for heart disease as people with lower levels. Steps to prevent or reduce high cholesterol include exercising, eating a healthy diet and not smoking. Because high cholesterol does not have symptoms, adults should have their cholesterol levels checked regularly by their physician.

Return on employer investment

Employers can make a difference in both their employees’ health and their costs by investing in comprehensive worksite health-promotion programs and by choosing health insurance plans that provide adequate coverage and support for essential preventative services. Research results published in the American Journal of Preventative Medicine show that employers can earn a $3 to $6 return on investment for each dollar invested over a two to five year period in employee health-related activities. The following are a few heart healthy ideas for employers:

• Promote exercise and activity within the workplace. Encourage exercise (instead of eating out) at lunch. Most people are more productive after exercise than after a heavy lunch. Promote the formation of walking clubs and encourage the use of stairs instead of elevators.

• Focus cafeteria menus on healthy foods and encourage employees to “brown bag it” instead of picking up fast food.

• Offer gym memberships or on-site gyms, if possible.

• Make the work environment enjoyable to combat stress and offer behavioral counseling if an employee needs it.

The most effective interventions at the workplace have been shown to be those that provide continued personal follow-up risk factor education and counseling as well as other interventions within the context of a comprehensive health-promotion program, including:

• Screening, health risk assessments and referrals
• Have lunchtime lectures from invited speakers (dietitians, exercise physiologists, physicians) discussing “heart healthy” behaviors.
• Worksite support to support change in behaviors (for example, access to healthy food choices).
• Financial and other incentives
• Corporate polices (such as tobacco-free worksites) that support healthy lifestyles.

By implementing comprehensive workplace health promotion programs, health plans with preventative benefits and effective healthcare systems, businesses can help their employees decrease the risk of heart disease and, in turn, benefit from reduced health insurance and productivity-related costs.

For more information about heart disease and Centra Stroobants Heart Center, visit CentraHealth.com.