| Wellness Connection: Heart Health
Quick tips and resources to support your wellness journey
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Fun Facts About the Human Heart - Heart size depends on the size of the person as well as the condition of their heart. Generally speaking, a healthy heart is about the size of the person's fist and weighs less than a pound. (Everyday Health)
- Though the male heart is typically slightly larger than in a female, the female heart beats a little faster. Your heart will beat about 115,000 times each day and pump 2,000 gallons of blood every day. (healthline.com)
- An electrical system controls the rhythm of your heart. It’s called the cardiac conduction system. (Cleveland Clinic)
Not-So-Fun Facts About Heart Health
- Low activity lessens your heart’s health. People with low fitness levels have double the risk of heart disease than their more active counterparts. (Everyday Health)
- High blood pressure, high cholesterol, and being overweight are also risk factors. The more of these risks you have, the higher probability of developing heart disease. (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute)
- Depression increases your risk for a heart attack, especially if you’re a woman. A woman under 55 years old with moderate or severe depression is more than twice as likely to suffer a heart attack, die of heart disease, or require surgical intervention. (Everyday Health)
- One person dies every 36 seconds in the United States from cardiovascular disease, including coronary heart disease, which causes heart attacks and strokes. About 2 in 10 deaths from coronary heart disease happen in adults less than 65 years old. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
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Guide to Heart-Healthy LivingFebruary is American Heart Month –
a time to focus on your heart health.
With heart disease continuing to be a leading cause of death, it is important to understand the known risk factors, some of which are changeable and others that are not. Preventing heart disease starts with knowing what your risks are and what you can do to lower them.
Refer to the Heart-Healthy Living Guide to better understand your risk factors and preventive measures you can take to lower your risk and improve your overall heart health.
Mental health affects your heart health.
Stress, depression, and anxiety also negatively affect your heart health. Dr. Patrick McBride, a co-director of the UW Health Preventive Cardiology Program, says that reducing stress and treating depression not only can be beneficial for your emotional state, but for your heart, too. Taking time to care for yourself positively impacts how you feel, your ability to manage stress effectively, and leads to more happiness. Happiness leads to healthier behaviors, which help lower your risk of heart disease. Learn more about the connections between your emotions and heart health and tips to counteract stress.
Laughter is the best medicine.
Laughter is good for you and your heart. When you have a good laugh, you can reap the heart-healthy rewards for up to 24 hours after. A daily dose of exuberant laughter can help dampen our stress response, lower blood pressure, and release endorphins, your body's natural, feel-good brain chemicals. Learn more about the amazing ways laughter improves your heart health and find ways to laugh every day.
Get up and be active – your heart will thank you.
Excessive amounts of sitting have been linked to an increased risk of heart disease, which is why sitting is considered the new smoking. Numerous studies show that spending most of the day in a seated position has been linked to chronic health conditions, including heart disease. People with low fitness levels have double the risk of heart disease than their more active counterparts. Find an activity that best fits you in the Be Fit toolkit and the Heart to Start program developed by James Beckerman, MD, director of the Center for Prevention and Wellness at the Providence Heart and Vascular Institute in Portland.
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Resources to WellnessIn collaboration, Human Resources and the UO Ambassadors program highlight the following wellness resources.
Wellness Ambassadors NewsletterThe Wellness Ambassador program is an extension of the Duck Nest that brings health and wellness education to UO employees in the workplace.
The February edition includes occupational wellness resources, as well as ideas to explore the other seven dimensions of wellness:
- Fitness Basics: Getting Active, Staying Motivated, Walking
- A New York Times article on the impact of stress on our hearts
- Find Joy in Helping Others
- 22 New Wellness Trends
In addition to these resources, each edition of the monthly newsletter includes insights and ideas on a variety of ways to help you enhance your emotional and physical wellbeing.
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eLearning ResourcesContinue your path to wellness with the following LinkedIn Learning courses that provide insights and ideas to help you reduce stress and increase feelings of positivity:
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Benefits Toolkit:
The following information is for benefits-eligible employees.
PEBB focuses on Heart Health.
In This Month’s News, PEBB provides information to help you make sense of your cholesterol numbers and offers easy steps to a healthier heart. Check out the latest edition and start your journey to improving your heart health.
Get support through the EAP.The University of Oregon’s employee assistance program provider Canopy, formerly called Cascade Centers, can provide one-on-one consultation to assist you with your unique needs. Visit the Human Resources website for more information about the EAP and to access services.
Canopy offers the following resources to support your heart health:
Canopy's previously recorded webinar topics include:
The UO Employee Assistance Program (EAP) through Canopy is a free service that can assist benefits-eligible employees with a wide variety of issues that may interfere with their day to day activities. This confidential service provides telephone contact and/or in–person sessions as needed to assist with completing an intake, assessment, and referral.
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| Human Resources, 677 E 12th Ave., Suite 400, Eugene, OR 97403
P: 541-346-3159
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