American Heart Month (February)

American Heart Month

By Austin Scates • 10 Feb 2026 • 3 min read

Every February, communities across the United States come together for American Heart Month, a national initiative focused on protecting the organ that keeps every one of us going. For many, it’s a reminder to pause during a busy year, look inward, and take stock of our own heart health.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States, accounting for approximately 1 in every 3 deaths. Nearly half of U.S. adults have at least one major cardiovascular risk factor, and many are unaware they are at risk. Left unmanaged, heart disease can lead to heart attacks, strokes, chronic conditions, and long-term disability, all of which have a direct impact on employee wellbeing, productivity, absenteeism, and healthcare costs.

For employers, American Heart Month serves as a reminder that heart health is not only a medical issue, but a workforce issue. Cardiovascular disease is highly influenced by prevention, early detection, and ongoing management, areas where employer-sponsored benefits and thoughtful HR strategy can make a measurable difference.

The role of benefits and HR

Many organizations already offer strong medical, dental, and vision benefits that support heart health, yet employees may not fully understand how or when to use them. HR and Operations leaders play a critical role in promoting smarter, more proactive use of benefits that emphasize prevention and early action.

Consider the following strategies:

Remind employees that annual preventive visits are typically covered at no cost when using in-network providers and are the primary entry point for detecting high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and other cardiovascular risk factors.
Encourage employees to “know their numbers,” including blood pressure, cholesterol levels, blood sugar/A1C, and family history.
Reinforce guidance on using the right level of care, primary care, and telehealth for ongoing management, urgent care for non-emergencies, and the emergency room for true cardiac emergencies.
Highlight the role of ancillary benefits. Dental and vision care can support early detection of conditions linked to cardiovascular risk, such as chronic inflammation, hypertension, and diabetes.

Being a wise consumer of health, prevention, early action, and smarter use of benefits can reduce avoidable claims, improve outcomes, and support a healthier workforce overall.

When to take early action

Heart disease often develops silently. Many individuals do not experience noticeable symptoms until a serious event occurs. Encouraging early evaluation is key.

Employees should be reminded to seek care promptly if they experience symptoms such as persistent shortness of breath, chest pressure or discomfort, dizziness, fainting, unexplained fatigue, or swelling in the legs or ankles. Early intervention can significantly reduce complications and improve long-term outcomes.

A supportive workplace matters

Promoting heart-health awareness during American Heart Month and reinforcing preventive care throughout the year signals that employee health is a sustained organizational priority. Supportive workplaces often normalize taking time for medical appointments, encourage routine screenings, and provide clear education around benefits access.

Even small actions can have a meaningful impact, including sharing preventive-care reminders during Q1, incorporating heart health messaging into open enrollment communications, offering flexibility for medical appointments, and partnering with brokers or carriers to review utilization trends and preventive-care engagement.

Let this February serve as a reminder that heart health is highly preventable and manageable when addressed early. Encouraging preventive care, timely action, and informed use of benefits helps employees stay healthier and supports stronger, more resilient organizations year-round.

Health equity and heart health

It is also important to acknowledge that cardiovascular disease does not affect all populations equally. Certain communities, including Black, Hispanic/Latino, Native American, and Alaska Native populations, experience higher rates of heart disease, hypertension, and related complications due to a combination of genetic, social, environmental, and access-related factors.

Employers committed to inclusive wellbeing may consider sharing culturally relevant resources, encouraging preventive screenings, and ensuring benefit communications are accessible and inclusive. Supporting equitable access to care is not only the right thing to do; it also strengthens workforce resilience and long-term outcomes.

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