{"id":18742,"date":"2025-02-06T13:34:46","date_gmt":"2025-02-06T18:34:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sourcelive.hr.msu.edu\/?p=18742"},"modified":"2025-12-17T09:30:29","modified_gmt":"2025-12-17T14:30:29","slug":"tips-and-benefits-resources-for-heart-health","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sourcelive.hr.msu.edu\/?p=18742","title":{"rendered":"Tips and Benefits Resources for Heart Health"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Cardiovascular disease, which refers to several conditions including coronary artery disease (CAD), heart attack, stroke, heart failure, arrhythmia, and heart valve problems,\u202f<em>results in one death every 33 seconds<\/em>\u202f(<em>CDC<\/em>, 2024).&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s important to note that cardiovascular disease is no longer something people only have to worry about as they get older. The CDC states, \u201cIn 2022, about 1 out of every 5 deaths from cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) was among adults younger than 65 years old&#8221; (CDC, 2024).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The good news is cardiovascular disease is largely preventable by living a healthy lifestyle. The following tips and MSU benefit resources will help keep you and your family healthy:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Know Your Numbers: <\/strong>Take charge of your health by knowing your blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels and take steps to improve them if needed.\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Schedule your annual wellness check-up<\/strong>. Many miss their annual check-up because they forget or don\u2019t prioritize them. It\u2019s important to schedule your yearly visit so your doctor can check these numbers and other important health metrics. If you\u2019re enrolled in an MSU health plan, you can <a href=\"https:\/\/hr.msu.edu\/benefits\/healthcare\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">learn more about your plan and find links to find a provider<\/a> on the HR website.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Use Livongo by Teladoc Health for Diabetes Management.<\/strong>\u202f Livongo is a diabetes management program that provides unlimited test strips, connected meter, optional coaching, online records, and more \u2013 all FREE for MSU employees and their eligible dependents who are enrolled in an MSU health plan.\u202f<a href=\"https:\/\/hr.msu.edu\/benefits\/healthcare\/livongo.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Learn more about Livongo and how to sign up<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Support Your Mental Health:<\/strong> According to the American Heart Association, \u201cIncreasing evidence shows that biological and chemical factors that trigger mental health issues may also influence heart disease\u201d (AHA, 2023). These chemical changes can predispose people to other health issues, such as cardiovascular disease. Utilize these resources to support your mental health:\n<ul>\n<li>MSU offers a variety of <a href=\"https:\/\/sourcelive.hr.msu.edu\/?p=18488\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">mental health resources for employees<\/a> and their families.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The <a href=\"https:\/\/uhw.msu.edu\/employees\/eap\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Employee Assistance Program<\/a> (EAP) is a confidential counseling service provided at no cost to MSU faculty, staff, retirees, graduate assistants, and their families.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The <a href=\"https:\/\/uhw.msu.edu\/spartanresilience\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Spartan Resilience program<\/a> offers courses to develop (or strengthen) the skills needed to effectively respond to your unique collection of challenges.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Evaluate Your Diet:<\/strong>\u202fEating foods high in salt, sugar, saturated, and\/or trans fats can cause high blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar, which may increase your risk of developing cardiovascular disease.\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Eat a Plant-Forward (Plant-Based) Diet.<\/strong> Make sure the majority of your calories come from fruits, vegetables, legumes, and nuts\/seeds (American Heart Association, 2025). If you must eat dairy and\/or meat, look for low-fat, lean, and unprocessed options. The AHA recommends a list of the\u202f<a href=\"https:\/\/www.heart.org\/en\/healthy-living\/healthy-eating\/eat-smart\/nutrition-basics\/plant-based-protein-infographic\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">best plant-based sources of protein<\/a>\u202fand offers insight into\u202f<a href=\"https:\/\/www.heart.org\/en\/healthy-living\/healthy-eating\/eat-smart\/nutrition-basics\/protein-and-heart-health\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">protein and heart health<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Beware Unexpected Sources of Sodium.<\/strong> The\u202f<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/salt\/about\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">top ten sources of sodium<\/a>\u202fin the American diet include some unexpected items, including bread, sandwiches, cold cuts, pizza, rice, and soups (CDC, 2024).&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Food and Nutrition Counseling for MSU Employees<\/strong>. MSU University Health and Wellbeing offers<a href=\"https:\/\/uhw.msu.edu\/employees\/nutrition\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> one-on-one counseling and additional resources<\/a>\u202f to promote a non-diet approach that uses an eating competence model and a weight-inclusive approach to support health.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Get Regular Physical Activity:<\/strong>\u202fThe\u202f<a href=\"https:\/\/www.heart.org\/en\/healthy-living\/fitness\/fitness-basics\/aha-recs-for-physical-activity-in-adults\">American Heart Association recommends<\/a>\u202fat least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity each week \u2013 that\u2019s just 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week.\n<ul>\n<li>This\u202f<a href=\"https:\/\/healthpromotion.msu.edu\/fitness\/assessment\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">comprehensive fitness assessment for MSU employees\u202f<\/a>will help you determine your current level of fitness. Based on your unique results, a SPARTANfit staff member will work with you to establish a tailored 3-month goal-oriented fitness and wellness plan.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A\u202f<a href=\"https:\/\/healthpromotion.msu.edu\/fitness\/functionalmovement\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">functional movement screen\u202f<\/a>consists of seven movement assessments designed to identify areas of imbalances and asymmetries by testing your mobility and stability. A certified professional will lead you through the assessment and then provide you with corrective exercises to implement.\u202f\u202f&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/recsports.msu.edu\/fitness\/wellness.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Spartan Wellness Personal Training<\/a>: Consultation includes a discussion of scores, norms, goal setting, educational material, and an individualized exercise program.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Make fitness part of your regular commute or utilize the MSU Departmental Bike service with these <a href=\"https:\/\/msubikes.wordpress.com\/commuter-benefits\/\">bike commuter resources from MSU Bikes<\/a>.&nbsp; MSU Bikes also shares <a href=\"https:\/\/msubikes.wordpress.com\/2023\/12\/19\/links-to-resources-that-will-help-you-ride-your-bike-on-campus-with-spartan-pride\/\">nearby bike organizations and clubs to join<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Quit Smoking. <\/strong>Smoking harms almost every part of the body, including your heart (AHA, 2023). It\u2019s never too late to quit and there are both short- and long-term benefits to giving up smoking.\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/tobaccofree.msu.edu\/cessation\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">MSU Smoking Cessation Resources<\/a>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Sources:<\/em>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>American Heart Association (2022, May 6). Smoking both traditional and e-cigarettes may carry same heart risks as Cigarettes alone. Retrieved February 12, 2024, from<a href=\"https:\/\/www.heart.org\/en\/news\/2022\/05\/06\/smoking-both-traditional-and-e-cigarettes-may-carry-same-heart-risks-as-cigarettes-alone\"> https:\/\/www.heart.org\/en\/news\/2022\/05\/06\/smoking-both-traditional-and-e-cigarettes-may-carry-same-heart-risks-as-cigarettes-alone<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>American Heart Association (2023, December 20). How does plant-forward (plant-based) eating benefit your health? Retrieved February 12, 2024, from<a href=\"https:\/\/www.heart.org\/en\/healthy-living\/healthy-eating\/eat-smart\/nutrition-basics\/how-does-plant-forward-eating-benefit-your-health\"> https:\/\/www.heart.org\/en\/healthy-living\/healthy-eating\/eat-smart\/nutrition-basics\/how-does-plant-forward-eating-benefit-your-health<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>American Heart Association (2024, January 10). What is cardiovascular disease? Retrieved February 12, 2024, from<a href=\"https:\/\/www.heart.org\/en\/health-topics\/consumer-healthcare\/what-is-cardiovascular-disease\"> https:\/\/www.heart.org\/en\/health-topics\/consumer-healthcare\/what-is-cardiovascular-disease<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>American Heart Association (2024, January 19). American Heart Association recommendations for physical activity in adults and kids. Retrieved February 12, 2024, from<a href=\"https:\/\/www.heart.org\/en\/healthy-living\/fitness\/fitness-basics\/aha-recs-for-physical-activity-in-adults\"> https:\/\/www.heart.org\/en\/healthy-living\/fitness\/fitness-basics\/aha-recs-for-physical-activity-in-adults<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>American Heart Association. (n.d.). How can I quit smoking? Retrieved February 12, 2024, from<a href=\"https:\/\/www.heart.org\/-\/media\/files\/health-topics\/answers-by-heart\/how-can-i-quit-smoking.pdf\"> https:\/\/www.heart.org\/-\/media\/files\/health-topics\/answers-by-heart\/how-can-i-quit-smoking.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>CDC. \u201cAbout Sodium and Health.\u201d Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Accessed 27 Jan. 2025 <a href=\"http:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/salt\/about\/index.html\">www.cdc.gov\/salt\/about\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>CDC. \u201cHeart Disease Facts.\u201d Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Accessed 27 Jan. 2025, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/heart-disease\/data-research\/facts-stats\/index.html\">www.cdc.gov\/heart-disease\/data-research\/facts-stats\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023, June 6). About Sodium. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved February 12, 2024, from<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/salt\/food.htm\"> https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/salt\/food.htm<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023, May 15). Heart disease facts. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved February 12, 2024, from<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/heartdisease\/facts.htm\"> https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/heartdisease\/facts.htm<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Michigan State University. \u201cFunctional Movement Screening.\u201d Functional Movement Screening | Health Promotion &amp; Engagement | Michigan State University, Accessed 27 Jan. 2025. <a href=\"http:\/\/healthpromotion.msu.edu\/fitness\/functionalmovement\/index.html\">healthpromotion.msu.edu\/fitness\/functionalmovement\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Michigan State University. \u201cBike Commuter Resources.\u201d MSU Bikes Blog, 8 Nov. 2024, <a href=\"http:\/\/msubikes.wordpress.com\/commuter-benefits\/\">msubikes.wordpress.com\/commuter-benefits\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Michigan State University. \u201cCessation Resources.\u201d Cessation | Tobacco &amp; Smoke Free MSU | Michigan State University, Accessed 27 Jan. 2025, <a href=\"http:\/\/tobaccofree.msu.edu\/cessation\/index.html\">tobaccofree.msu.edu\/cessation\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Michigan State University. \u201cComprehensive Fitness Assessment.\u201d Comprehensive Fitness Assessment | Health Promotion &amp; Engagement | Michigan State University, <a href=\"http:\/\/healthpromotion.msu.edu\/fitness\/assessment\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">healthpromotion.msu.edu\/fitness\/assessment\/index.html<\/a> Accessed 27 Jan. 2025.<a href=\"https:\/\/healthpromotion.msu.edu\/fitness\/assessment\/index.html\"> https:\/\/healthpromotion.msu.edu\/fitness\/assessment\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Michigan State University. \u201cSpartan Wellness Training.\u201d Spartan Wellness Training | Recreational Sports and Fitness Services | Michigan State University, Accessed 27 Jan. 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/recsports.msu.edu\/fitness\/wellness.html\">https:\/\/recsports.msu.edu\/fitness\/wellness.html<\/a>MSU Human Resources. \u201cHappy World Mental Health Day!\u201d SourceLive, 10 October 2024, <a href=\"https:\/\/sourcelive.hr.msu.edu\/?p=18488\">https:\/\/sourcelive.hr.msu.edu\/?p=18488<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Cardiovascular disease, which refers to several conditions including coronary artery disease (CAD), heart attack, stroke,&hellip; <a class=\"continue\" href=\"https:\/\/sourcelive.hr.msu.edu\/?p=18742\">Continue Reading&#8230;<span> Tips and Benefits Resources for Heart Health<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":28,"featured_media":18749,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"__cvm_playback_settings":[],"__cvm_video_id":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0},"categories":[2,6],"tags":[897,58,508,74,75,185,557],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sourcelive.hr.msu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/heart-heakth-graphic.jpg?fit=1200%2C630&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pb1fcA-4Si","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sourcelive.hr.msu.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18742"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sourcelive.hr.msu.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sourcelive.hr.msu.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sourcelive.hr.msu.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/28"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sourcelive.hr.msu.edu\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=18742"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/sourcelive.hr.msu.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18742\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":19662,"href":"https:\/\/sourcelive.hr.msu.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18742\/revisions\/19662"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sourcelive.hr.msu.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/18749"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sourcelive.hr.msu.edu\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=18742"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sourcelive.hr.msu.edu\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=18742"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sourcelive.hr.msu.edu\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=18742"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}