Heart disease is often referred to as the silent killer. Hypertension and other forms of heart disease can be present without significant warning signs and bring devastating results. Heart disease and stroke are two of the leading causes of death among American adults. However, there are things that adults can do to maintain cardiovascular health. In the workplace where many working adults spend most of their days, companies can implement health management activities to screen employees for warning signs and identify follow up care.
Good Habits and Prevention
The highest risk groups for heart disease are those adults of working age. For employers, incorporating employee health is an important part of offering a holistic work environment that reaches at-risk employees where they spend a great deal of their time. Often, adults will minimize and put off routine preventive health care due to missing work, scheduling conflicts, and a myriad of other commitments. For employers, an employee health strategy is smart from a practical level and saves on health care costs for both employers and employees and reduces health-related absenteeism. Creating a healthy workplace culture is a step that progressive companies should embrace.
Promoting a Heart Healthy Work Culture
The American Heart Association, the nation’s leading nonprofit dedicated to heart disease education and prevention, offers a step-by-step guide tailored specifically to the workplace. The process begins with the workplace performing an assessment of programs or incentives that already exist at work and what employment specific factors are involved. Developing activities that include both heart screenings and lifestyle counseling on site are ways to initiate health-focused change.
Studies have shown that screenings alone do not achieve significant changes, but screenings in combination with employee behavioral counseling, workplace incentives, and regular follow ups provide results. Therefore, an employer who is interested in exploring a workplace health program should view it as more than a one or two-time annual event, but as a workplace cultural shift.
Heart healthy workplaces can incorporate creative workday activities and events. They can range from initiating healthy potluck events for employees, creating work team competitions, prohibiting tobacco use on site, and making health-related resources widely accessible. Individual risk reduction activities play a role, but since stress is a significant factor in heart disease, employers should strongly consider adding flexible work schedules and employee assistance programs to manage occupational stress.
Cherry Hill Workers’ Compensation Lawyers at Pietras Saracino Smith & Meeks, LLP Advocate for Those Suffering from Work-Related Illnesses
If you became ill or injured on the job due to heart disease, it is important to be aware of your rights under workers’ compensation laws. Consulting with an experienced Cherry Hill workers’ compensation lawyer at Pietras Saracino Smith & Meeks, LLP can be critical to your claim. Located in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, we represent clients throughout South Jersey, including Camden, Cinnaminson, Delran, Maple Shade, and Pennsauken. For a free consultation regarding your case, please complete our online form or call us at 856-761-3773.
