Hypertension / hyperlipidemia primary prevention.   High blood pressure and high cholesterol, with their associated complications, are direct contributors to one of this country’s leading causes of death. They are also two of the most treatable conditions. New medications combined with a healthy diet and exercise can stop disease progression and prevent future complications. For employers, there are several reasons to be concerned about the growing prevalence of chronic high blood pressure (hypertension) and chronic high cholesterol (hyperlipidemia) among the American workforce. First and foremost is lost productivity. High blood pressure and high cholesterol are conditions that can occur as isolated risk factors or in combination with other higher risk conditions such as ischemic heart disease (IHD). In fact, a full 39% of workers with IHD also have hypertension and 37% of workers with IHD have hyperlipidemia.

On average, employees with hypertension miss 67% more workdays per year than their non-hypertensive counterparts, or eight days versus five days. Also, the behavioral risk factors for both hypertension and hyperlipidemia (e.g., smoking, sedentary lifestyle, obesity) indicate a general lower level of health status, which contributes to a high rate of absenteeism.

However, the most compelling reason for employers to be concerned is that left untreated, chronic hypertension and chronic hyperlipidemia will inevitably lead to more severe and costly chronic conditions such as atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease or congestive heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, or vascular disease. The cost of effectively managing high blood pressure and high cholesterol averages about $500 per year for medications and doctor visits, compared to up to $52,000 for just one acute coronary event.

Simply put, high blood pressure and high cholesterol primary prevention is about improving employee health, reducing absenteeism, increasing productivity and building on an overall “culture of health” in the workplace.

Cardium Health offers its High Blood Pressure / High Cholesterol primary prevention program as part of a comprehensive suite of integrated health management programs and services. With a people-centered, integrated and multi-disciplinary approach, we help individuals move from knowing what they should do to lower their blood pressure and reduce their cholesterol to actually doing it.

Through one-on-one telephonic counseling with our mult-disciplinary team of registered cardiac nurses, registered dietitians and exercise physiologists, participants learn about the importance of taking prescribed medications correctly and how exercise, dietary choices and simple lifestyle changes can help.

Employers who offer the Cardium Health High Blood Pressure / High Cholesterol primary prevention program recognize it is an investment in long-term ROI. Our counseling model works by understanding and addressing all of an individual’s behavioral and clinical risk factors to improve overall health. Long-term, you’ll realize financial savings in healthcare and disability costs avoided by preventing disease progression.

	Objectives	Counselor Interventions
	Reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke by controlling blood pressure - Systolic blood pressure m140 - Diastolic blood pressure m90	Disease-specific education Medication comprehension and compliance to support the physician relationship - Education - Adjustment - Administration Meeting cholesterol and blood pressure goals Unlimited inbound calls, educational materials and compliance tools
	Reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke by controlling cholesterol levels - LDL130 - HDL 40

additional resources
High Blood Pressure / High Cholesterol  [ PDF 81KB ]   |   Participant Scenario  [ Pop-Up ]

resources for plan sponsors
High Blood Pressure / High Cholesterol  [ PDF 79KB ]