World Heart Day: Cardiovascular Health Risks; Proactive Measures for Workplace Wellness

From 2021 to 2023, International SOS received a significant increase in requests for assistance related to cardiovascular health issues. The number of cases increased by 34.5% from 2021 to 2022 and by an additional 18% from 2022 to 2023.3 This data highlights the growing need for comprehensive cardiovascular health support and the importance of proactive health measures. Notably, 86% of the cases involving heart-specific ailments were within the male population during the same period.

Living in a volatile, complex, uncertain and ambiguious global environement can cause significant repercussions for human health and wellbeing. Nowhere is this proving to be more visible than at the workplaces of today, where stress, long working hours and sedentary lifestyles are increasingly leading to unfavorable cardiovascular consequences. Every organization has a Duty of Care to provide a work environment that promotes health of their employees, as this can play a significant role in preventing cardiovascular disease. The upcoming World Heart Day should serve not only as a reminder but rather a wake-up call to spur action on this front. Apart from the massive human cost that it carries, heart disease can also significantly impact employers financially through rising costs of provision of health interventions and insurance premiums, Not to mention the indirect costs such as absenteeism and presenteeism. 

Proactively addressing cardiovascular health can help organisations mitigate these risks. By implementing comprehensive health and wellness programmes, such as regular health screenings, fitness initiatives, and educational workshops on healthy lifestyle choices, organisations can help their employees maintain better heart health. This not only reduces the incidence of heart disease and stroke but also lowers healthcare costs and improves overall productivity. In the long run, investing in employee health can lead to a more sustainable and productive future for the workforce.

To help organisations mitigate cardiovascular risks among their workforce, International SOS recommends the following seven measures shared by Dr Vikram VORA, Medical Director, Indian Subcontinent, at International SOS:

1. Create a Heart-Healthy Culture: Foster a workplace culture that prioritises health and wellbeing. Encourage employees to take breaks, stay hydrated and seek medical advice when needed. A supportive environment can motivate employees to adopt and maintain heart-healthy habits.

2. Encourage Regular Health Screenings: Offer regular health screenings for blood pressure, cholesterol levels and other cardiovascular risk factors. Early detection and management of these risk factors can prevent the development of more serious conditions. 

3. Healthy Eating Initiatives: Provide access to nutritious and healthy food options in the workplace. Educate employees on the importance of a heart-healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins.

4. Promote Regular Physical Activity: Encourage employees to engage in regular physical activity through workplace wellness programs and facilities.

5. Stress Management Programmes: Implement programmes and provide resources to help employees manage stress, which is a significant risk factor for CVDs.

6. Education and Awareness Campaigns: Organise workshops on cardiovascular health to raise awareness and educate employees about the importance of maintaining a healthy heart and the steps to reduce the risks. 

7. Smoking Cessation Support: Tobacco use and exposure to second-hand smoke are among the leading causes of cardiovascular disease globally, contributing to approximately 17% of all CVD deaths.4 Provide support and resources for employees who wish to quit smoking, including counselling and smoking cessation programmes.