February is American Heart Month

February is a month all about showing others how much you care. On Valentine's Day, you appreciate your love for those special people in your life and the same can be said for American Heart Month. Taking care of your cardiac health is another way to show those important people how much you care about them and yourself. Here are some facts and helpful information to help you do just that:

DID YOU KNOW?

  • Shaped like an upside-down pear, your heart is a fist-sized organ that pumps five to six quarts of blood each minute (that's right, each minute!) to all parts of your body.
  • Heart disease remains the number one killer of men and women in the U.S. according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) with about 647,000 Americans dying from heart disease each year - that's 1 in every 4 deaths.
  • High blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, and smoking are key risk factors for heart disease. About half of all Americans (47%) have at least one of these three risk factors.
  • Other contributing factors to heart disease include diabetes, overweight and obesity, physical inactivity and excessive alcohol use.
  • For adults, the Surgeon General recommends 2 hours and 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise, like brisk walking or bicycling, every week. Children and adolescents should get 1 hour of physical activity every day.
  • Women don't always have the same classic heart attack symptoms as men, such as crushing chest pain. While the same classic symptoms can present in both men and women, many females experience vague or even "silent" symptoms. Here is what you need to know.
 

TAKE ACTION!

  • Review this list of heart attack and stroke symptoms so you can easily recognize what might be happening to you or a loved one.
  • While there has only been a short period of time to evaluate the impact of vaping on the heart, the AHA believes there's plenty of evidence that e-cigarettes are harmful.
  • Take advantage of your Pearson Benefits to get your annual physical at no cost to you. Learn about this and other free, preventive services covered under your medical plan.
  • You can get current, comprehensive, objective and personalized information (including treatment options) and support about any medical diagnosis or health topic. Read this brochure to get a better understanding of what assistance ConsumerMedical can provide to you and your family.
  • Pearson Benefits also provides you with free help through Health Advocate. Get assistance with scheduling appointments, managing health insurance claims, making the best use of your benefits and more. To learn more, visit the Health Advocate website or call 1-866-695-8622.
  • Your prescription benefits provide coverage for smoking cessation medications. Talk to your doctor to see if such an approach would work for you.
 
 

ON-DEMAND EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE
PROGRAM (EAP) WEBINARS

 

Revitalize Your Relationship Wednesday, February 12 @ 1:00 p.m. Central

EQ and You: Customer Service with Care Wednesday, February 26 @ 1:00 p.m. Central

Teens: Risky Behavior and Good Choices Wednesday, March 4 @ 1:00 p.m. Central

 
To register or to see a complete list of 2020 webinars, click here:
 

UPCOMING LIFECARE® WEBINAR:

Do you struggle with getting a quality night's sleep? Join the "Getting a Good Night's Sleep" webinar on Tuesday, February 26 beginning at 2:00 p.m. Eastern. Explore sleep disorders and their causes (circadian rhythms, insomnia, snoring/sleep apnea) examine the relationship between sleep and stress and much more. Login to LifeCare® and use the search for webinars to register for this upcoming topic.

 

Crisis Corner

We can all help prevent suicide. Are you or do you know someone in crisis? Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) to access free and confidential support 24 hours per day, 7 days a week.

 
 

If you have questions regarding Pearson Benefits, please call the Pearson Benefits Center at 1-855-237-6421.

Sources: American Heart Association, Centers for Disease Control, Cleveland Clinic, Mayo Clinic, WebMD