American Heart Association Encourages Walking Activities
In an effort to draw attention to employer-sponsored health promotion and chronic disease prevention, the American Heart Association is calling on employers across the country to establish health and physical activity initiatives such as walking during “National Workplace Wellness Week” (April 5-11, 2009). This year the association’s National Start! Walking Day, which aims to get Americans up and moving for 30 minutes on April 8, will take place during the week.
“National Workplace Wellness Week” serves to encourage private and public employers across the country to invest in the health of their employees by creating worksite health promotion programs and to share their best practices with other employers. The week was initiated by the American Heart Association to raise awareness about the importance of wellness programs like Start! and to address the nation’s soaring healthcare costs, rising obesity rates, sedentary behavior and increasing prevalence of chronic disease. It was introduced last year by U.S. Representatives Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (D-SD) and Charles Boustany (R-LA) and established by the U.S. House of Representatives.
“Workplace wellness programs are critical to improving employee health, increasing productivity, reducing absenteeism and lowering health care costs,” said Craig Thorne, M.D., MPH, American Heart Association spokesperson. “National Workplace Wellness Week” is an ideal time for employers to start investing in their employees by joining free programs like Start! and participating in National Start! Walking Day.”
More than a third of the working-age population in the United States is at risk for chronic illnesses due to physical inactivity and the nation’s obesity epidemic. The estimated cost of obesity and overweight related health conditions is $117 billion per year. Just three chronic conditions, asthma, diabetes and hypertension, are associated with 164 million lost work days per year at a cost to employers of $30 billion.
The Start! initiative works with employers and the 135 million Americans in the workplace to create a culture of walking before, during or after work. It offers resources for employers to implement a walking program in the workplace and track employees’ progress in the program. Start!’s Fit-Friendly Companies program recognizes companies for meeting criteria for employee fitness. More than 1,000 US companies have been recognized for demonstrating their commitment to promoting exercise and good nutrition in the workplace.
“Getting your employees to walk briskly for just 30 minutes a day can help lower chronic disease risk factors such as high blood pressure,” said Dr. Thorne. “Educating them about basic cardiovascular disease prevention and developing health education programs that focus on lifestyle behavior change is a huge investment that will increase any company’s bottom line.”
For more information, visit “>http://www.americanheart.org/workplacewellness”>www.americanheart.org/workplacewellness or “>http://www.startmidlandssc.org/”>www.startmidlandssc.org.
About the American Heart Association
Founded in 1924, we’re the nation’s oldest and largest voluntary health organization dedicated to building healthier lives, free of heart disease and stroke. To help prevent, treat and defeat these diseases — America’s No. 1 and No. 3 killers — we fund cutting-edge research, conduct lifesaving public and professional educational programs, and advocate to protect public health. To learn more or join us in helping all Americans, call 1-800-AHA-USA1 or visit “>http://www.americanheart.org/”>americanheart.org.
###
Watch the video related to heart
From the 1990 Album “Brigade” It was a rainy night when he came into sight Standing by the road, no umbrella, no coat So I pulled up along side and I offered him a ride He accepted with a smile so we drove for a while I didn’t ask him his name, this lonely boy in the rain Fate tell me it’s right, is this love at first sight Please don’t make it wrong, just stay for the night All I wanna do is make love to you Say you will you want me too All I wanna do is make love to you I’ve got lovin …
Help answer the question about heart
What's the difference between heart disease & heart failure in dogs?My Cavalier has heart disease (I think it is MVD). She has been on tablets for several months for it. On the packet it says that they are for the treatment of heart failure in dogs. I used to think that heart failure was when the heart just stopped working and the dog died, but that is obviously not the case. What does heart failure actually mean? Thanks xx
If you are very concerned I suggest going to your doctor and asking him/her to refer you to a cardiologist. Your x-ray and ECG results are promising though! With heart conditions the heart itself rarely hurts, you would have other symptoms such as shortness of breath, not being able to do much physical work or excessive tiredness. In some cases the heart will physically hurt due to a problem but mostly you'd experience other symptoms.
The heart can hurt when we're grieving. It's often caused by anxiety. I have experienced the feeling a lot. So if you have just broken up or are grieving for whatever reason, it's very possible that is the reason.
There are so very many things that can be/go wrong with hearts so I can't tell you what's wrong, your best bet is to have a cardiologist run some tests on you. If your doctor checks you (listens to your heart etc.) and says your fine but you still want to see a specialist, just say. Don't take no for an answer!