February being “heart month” brings a focus on the leading cause of death in the US for men and women. The good news is that studies now show that to prevent the progression of, or even reverse, coronary heart disease (CHD), cardiac rehabilitation is as effective as medication.¹

Patricia Lounsbury, RN, directs the CHAMPS program of University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, which offers Cardiovascular Health Assessment, Management, and Prevention Services. Through CHAMPS, a person who has experienced a heart attack adopts an individualized plan to eliminate risk factors for CHD (such as smoking, hypertension, stress, etc) and will eventually be ready to return to work.

At that point, Patricia says, the type of work becomes significant. Employers of workers in sedentary jobs should understand the importance of them moving around or at least standing every hour—Patricia points to current research indicating that even fewer than 10 minutes of activity is beneficial.² She says allowing employees access to a treadmill—or even one of the new treadmill desks³—is a good employee health investment.

For workers involved in manual labor, the level and type of physical stress in various tasks is carefully evaluated. Lifting, for example, is assessed in terms of weight, arm action (equal/unequal), and other factors, and training is geared to helping workers resume that part of their job as soon as possible.

Employers are most frequently concerned about whether and when employees can do a particular task; Patricia says, “DOT employers seem to have the most questions.” She wants all employers to realize that “often a worker who has committed to a program of cardiac rehabilitation can be even more successful in their job than they’ve ever been!”

Your occupational medicine provider can direct you to cardiac rehabilitation services in your area.

¹ Physical Activity For The Healthy Adult – American College of Sports Medicine/American Heart Association

² Sustained and Shorter Bouts of Physical Activity Are Related to Cardiovascular Health (2013)

³ NBC News – Obesity expert says daily workouts can't undo damage done from sitting all day