A Call to All HR Heads and Employee Wellness Leaders:

It's time to reimagine employee care by merging wellness and health insurance to focus on what truly matters—the health of your employees, especially their hearts. Heart disease is a silent but growing epidemic, and with the rise of post-COVID complications, it has become a top priority for workplace wellness. Today, the challenge is clear, and the solution is here: Wellness as a Service (WAAS), with a sharp focus on heart health.

Why Heart Health Matters More Than Ever, Especially Post-COVID

The Silent Pandemic

Heart disease has emerged as not only a significant health crisis but also an economic one. A staggering 20% of all health insurance claims are tied to heart-related conditions, many of which could have been avoided with early intervention and preventative care. The cost isn’t just felt in hospital bills but in lost productivity, financial instability, and strained healthcare systems.

To put things into perspective, from 2012 to 2022, heart attack deaths surged by 54%, and between 2017 and 2021, deaths due to heart attacks rose by 22%. Shockingly, 70% of these deaths occurred in people between 30 to 60 years old—an age group once considered low-risk. Add to this the increased risk of heart complications post-COVID, and it becomes crystal clear: we must take proactive steps toward heart health.

The Economic Impact of Ignoring Heart Health

Beyond the personal toll, heart disease significantly affects businesses. Between 2020 and 2029, India is projected to face $100 billion in productivity loss due to heart-related conditions. This is an avoidable crisis. Investing in comprehensive heart care programs will help reduce this burden—both for employees and employers alike.

Why Heart Health is Often Undiagnosed Until It’s Too Late

Many heart conditions remain undiagnosed until a critical event occurs. Take, for example, two large corporations that implemented ECG screening programs for their employees. Their findings were alarming: 2% of employees were at high risk, and 10% were at potential risk of heart disease. One life, in particular—that of a CEO—was saved by timely intervention.

Heart Matters: Early Detection is Key

The leading risk factors for heart disease are well-known:

Dyslipidemia: Linked to 50% of ischemic heart disease cases.

Diabetes: Doubles the risk of heart disease.

Hypertension: Causes 54% of strokes and 47% of heart diseases worldwide.

Thyroid Disorders: Increase the risk of heart disease, with hypothyroidism tripling the chances of heart complications.

Early detection and management of these conditions are crucial, and that's where the Heart Matters Program comes in.