February is Heart Month, a time to raise awareness about heart disease and the importance of maintaining a healthy heart. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S., and while there are ways to reduce your risk, it’s important to be aware of the factors that may contribute to heart health. Regular health screenings and mindful lifestyle choices can play a role in supporting heart health.

Risk Factors for Heart Disease:

• Unhealthy diet, smoking, and physical inactivity
• High blood pressure, high cholesterol, and obesity
• Family history and diabetes

Preventing Heart Disease:

Your lifestyle choices can help reduce the risk of heart disease and slow its progression if you’re showing signs:

• Control health conditions (e.g., blood pressure, cholesterol)
• Exercise and maintain a healthy weight
• Eat a heart-healthy diet
• Quit smoking
• Manage stress

Learn more about heart disease prevention and how to protect your heart by visiting Mercy Heart Disease Information.

Biometric Screenings

Biometric screenings help identify risk factors such as high blood pressure and cholesterol. Early detection can lead to better outcomes, so it’s important to make screenings part of your health routine.

✔ 100% covered for patients with MSU health plan coverage when performed at Magers Health and Wellness or another in-network provider
✔ Available year-round by appointment at Magers

💲 Wellness Reimbursement Opportunity

Employees and covered dependents enrolled in critical illness insurance are eligible for a $100 wellness reimbursement for activities like biometric screenings—even if the service is free!

Employee Wellness Activities

Employee wellness activities this month can help address risk factors for heart disease:

• Nutrition Misinformation – Nutrition Talks (February 11, Dinner and Zoom Option)
  Helps with diet management to prevent heart disease.
• Medical Weight Loss – In-Person (February 19, Giveaway – Free Month of Weight Loss)
  Focuses on weight loss to reduce heart disease risk.

Mercy EAP

Take time for yourself—Mercy EAP resources are available to help you manage stress and a variety of life situations, including support for quitting smoking and managing chronic conditions. Mercy EAP is available to both full-time and part-time employees and their household members.

Let’s make our heart health a priority this month—and all year long!

🔗 Stay informed! Follow the HR blog for news on benefits, HR updates, and professional development. For wellness-related news, visit the Wellness blog.