Enhancing Employee Well-being and Reducing Healthcare Costs Through Blood Pressure Management

Invest in your employees' well-being and manage long-term healthcare costs by proactively addressing a major health risk: high blood pressure.   Affecting nearly half of U.S. adults and significantly increasing the risk of costly conditions like heart disease and stroke, uncontrolled high blood pressure represents a substantial health burden for employees and a potential financial strain for employers.

Blood pressure measures the force of blood against artery walls. Maintaining healthy levels is crucial for preventing serious complications such as heart attacks, strokes, and kidney disease. Shockingly, only about 1 in 4 adults with high blood pressure have their condition under control, highlighting a critical opportunity for employers to provide support that drives lasting health improvements and can lower associated healthcare expenditures.

A Proactive Strategy: Screening and Coaching
Supporting employee well-being effectively involves meaningful programs with measurable results. A powerful approach combines:

1. Early Identification: Biometric screenings are vital for detecting high blood pressure early, often identifying this "silent killer" before symptoms arise and allowing for timely intervention.
2. Personalized Support: One-on-one health coaching empowers employees with the knowledge, strategies, and support needed to manage their blood pressure effectively through lifestyle changes, stress management, and adherence to medical advice.

Leveraging Existing Resources:

• EAP Coaching: Don't overlook your Employee Assistance Program (EAP). EAPs typically offer a number of complimentary coaching sessions (often 3+ per issue) that can focus specifically on healthy behaviors to reduce blood pressure. EAP coaching is goal-oriented and action-driven, designed to help individuals achieve specific health outcomes.
• External Information: Equip your employees with knowledge from trusted sources:
  • American Heart Association: Provides toolkits and facts about blood pressure in English and Spanish. Direct Link: Find High Blood Pressure Tools and Resources | American Heart Association
  • Kaiser Permanente: Offers excellent resources on managing blood pressure and preventing heart disease, available to everyone. Direct Link: Preventing Heart Disease | Kaiser Permanente

Combining early detection through biometric screenings with personalized support via health coaching (including EAP resources) and educational materials creates a robust strategy. This approach not only empowers employees to take charge of their cardiovascular health, reducing their risk of serious events, but also fosters a culture of well-being while potentially mitigating long-term healthcare costs for your organization.

To explore how implementing tailored well-being strategies focused on blood pressure management can benefit your company, please reach out to Jennifer Green, VP of Wellbeing & Engagement at Venbrook, our preferred employee benefits broker, at jgreen@venbrook.com