Cutting the Costs of Cardiovascular Care

Having good cardiovascular health is essential to overall health. Choosing a healthy lifestyle at any age can help prevent risks for cardiovascular disease.

Cardiovascular disease is a broad term to describe a range of conditions that affect the heart. Heart disease, heart attack, stroke, heart failure, arrhythmia and heart valve problems are all cardiovascular diseases.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States. Approximately 697,000 people in the U.S. died from heart disease in 2020. That's about one in every five deaths.

Cardiovascular disease is one of the costliest medical conditions for employers. The CDC estimates that heart disease costs the United States approximately $229 billion a year. That includes the costs of care, medicine and lost productivity.

What causes cardiovascular disease?

Hypertension, high cholesterol and smoking are all known key risk factors for developing heart disease.

Medical conditions along with lifestyle choices may also increase a person's risk for developing heart disease, including:

• Diabetes
• Overweight and obesity
• Unhealthy diet
• Physical inactivity
• Excessive alcohol use

How cardiovascular disease impacts the workplace

Heart disease can lead to high costs for employers for multiple reasons including absenteeism, lost productivity, increased health care, and disability.

A report by the American Heart Association projects that by 2035, cardiovascular disease may cost the U.S. $1.1 trillion a year. That means employers will take a major hit to their health care spend.

Although heart disease can happen at any age, obesity, and high blood pressure among people ages 35 to 64, put them at higher risk for developing heart disease. Almost half of all Americans have at least one of the three key risk factors for heart disease.

Preventive care can help reduce cardiovascular disease

Preventive care includes services that include annual checkups, vaccinations, counseling and screenings, to detect and prevent illnesses and diseases.

Receiving recommended preventive care can also help reduce overall medical expenses. Catching a condition in its early stages and receiving treatment can help prevent even more invasive and expensive treatments in the future.

Taking preventive steps to mitigate risk factors for cardiovascular disease will not only help employees stay healthier, but it will also help businesses save on health care costs.

To learn more about preventive care, check out this article: What Is Preventive Care and Do Health Plans Cover the Cost?

Wellness programs can help employees create healthy habits

Vitality® is a wellness program that works to promote a healthy lifestyle to its members and is available with most Allstate Benefits plans. In addition to encouraging members to eat well and exercise, it also offers access to an online portal with resources to positively impact their mental, social and financial health.

Vitality has proven results with engaged members:

• 19% lower claims.
• 30% reduction in hospital admissions.
• 35% lower turnover rates.

How you can help your employees prevent heart disease

Approximately 60% of adults are employed. This gives employers a unique opportunity to promote cardiovascular health in the workplace.

By choosing a group health plan through Allstate Benefits, employers can take a step in the right direction to keep their employees happy and healthy. We offer high-quality group health benefit plans that make receiving health care simple and accessible.

One phone call is all it takes to get started. Contact a sales consultant today.

Related Articles:

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What Is Preventive Care and Do Health Plans Cover the Cost?

Heart Disease: Three Important Questions Answered