February’s National Heart Month is a powerful reminder that cardiovascular disease remains one of the UK’s biggest health challenges for both men and women – and one where prevention, awareness and early action can save lives. As organisations continue to focus on sustainable wellbeing strategies, heart health is an area where employers can make a tangible difference.
Why heart health matters in the workplace
Heart disease is not just a personal health issue – it has a clear impact on businesses. According to British Heart Foundation (BHF), around 7.6 million people in the UK live with heart or circulatory conditions, which are responsible for roughly one in four deaths nationally. Poor cardiovascular health also contributes to long-term absence, lower productivity, and higher healthcare costs.
Many risk factors are modifiable. Regular physical activity, healthy eating, and awareness of personal health indicators can all make a real difference. Yet, research shows that too often employees are left to manage these risks on their own, while workplaces continue to reward busyness over health and wellbeing.
Movement matters – small changes, big impact
The video below – created by Hussle and HEART UK – offers practical, accessible fitness tips that can help support heart health day today. At a time when many employees are juggling busy work and home lives, simple, realistic guidance is exactly what’s needed.
It’s not about running marathons – it’s about making movement achievable and consistent. Regular activity can help:
- Reduce blood pressure
- Improve cholesterol levels
- Support a healthy weight
- Lower the risk of heart disease and stroke
For employers, this can be supported through initiatives such as walking meetings, lunch-hour activity breaks, subsidised gym memberships, or simply creating spaces that encourage movement throughout the day.
The critical role employers can play
Organisations have a unique opportunity to move beyond awareness campaigns into practical, lasting impact. Leading employers are embedding cardiovascular health into broader wellbeing strategies by:
- Promoting health checks and screenings
- Offering lifestyle support programmes
- Integrating education on heart health into culture and communications
- Creating psychologically safe spaces for conversations about health
Taking these steps not only benefits employees’ health but also reduces absence, improves engagement, and strengthens long-term workforce resilience.
Life-saving skills: CPR in the workplace
Beyond prevention, employers can help save lives. According to BHF, fewer than 1 in 10 people survive an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in the UK. Immediate intervention, particularly CPR, is critical.
The Aon and British Heart Foundation partnership outlined in this video is a powerful example of how employers can make a difference. Together, they’re equipping workplaces with CPR training and awareness tools, including the British Heart Foundation’s digital RevivR platform. This means trained employees can confidently respond in emergencies – building a culture of care and preparedness.
Making heart health a year-round priority
National Heart Month is a trigger, but the impact comes from sustained action. The most effective workplace strategies combine practical interventions with cultural, systemic change:
- Promote movement and healthy routines every day
- Make screenings and education accessible
- Embed emergency response training, including CPR
- Link health initiatives to overall wellbeing, productivity and business objectives
When heart health is treated as part of a broader, integrated health and wellbeing strategy, organisations see both improved employee health and enhanced organisational performance.
Starting simple
Heart health doesn’t have to be complicated. Employers can make a difference through small, achievable actions – and February is the perfect moment to start.
By combining education, practical support, and cultural change, organisations can help employees protect their hearts – and keep their teams healthy, engaged, and thriving all year round.
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