Deck yourself in red to bring awareness to heart disease; free resources available.
You don’t have to wait for Valentine’s Day to break out your favorite red clothes. This Friday is National Wear Red Day, a nationwide color-coordinating event to bring greater awareness to cardiovascular disease.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the U.S., claiming one person every 34 seconds. Yet many people aren’t aware of how pervasive heart disease is, how to prevent it, or even what their own risk factors are.
High blood pressure, high cholesterol and smoking are key risk factors for heart disease, according to the CDC. Diabetes, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, unhealthy diet, and excessive alcohol are also contributing factors.
During National Wear Red Day (Friday) and American Heart Month throughout February, the American Heart Association is hoping to educate more people on healthier lifestyles and warning signs. How can you take action to avoid heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular disease? Here are seven easy ways:
- Learn more about your own risk by setting up an appointment with your healthcare provider. The confidential, convenient, onsite primary care providers at  CareATC clinics at Appliance Park and Roper can assess your health and help you to map out a more health-healthy lifestyle.
- Get a free blood pressure check this month. CareATC will set up locations at Roper and in Appliance Park this month. No registration required. Look out for more details!
- Take advantage of the opportunity to learn hands-only CPR at Appliance Park’s Monogram Hall on February 21. This event is open to anyone. There are 30-minute sessions from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sig here.
- Every second counts in an emergency, so get familiar with the signs of heart attack and stroke with help from this flyer from the American Heart Association.
- Find help for habits that hurt your heart. Quit Genius is a free resource to GE Appliances employees and their dependents. The digital tool addresses smoking and alcohol use.
- Get moving. Take advantage of employee discounts for gym memberships or join the YMCA’s onsite fitness center in the heart of Appliance Park, The Y @ Work.
- Reverse type 2 diabetes and prediabetes with Virta. GE Appliances fully covers the cost of Virta for all employees and adult family members enrolled in a GEA Health Plan with type 2 diabetes or prediabetes. Virta is also covered for those with a BMI of 30 or greater who are interested in safe and sustainable weight loss. Sign up or learn more.