In 2019, I partnered with the American Heart Association (AHA) to co-chair their newest initiative: Hard Hats with Heart. Since then I’ve learned a lot about heart health and prevention of cardiovascular disease. A recent study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that 1 out of 25 construction workers are diagnosed with cardiovascular disease. Over the course of a large project, like Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia, Gilbane can have more than 600 construction workers on site. That means that 24 of those workers will be diagnosed with cardiovascular disease. After that realization I asked myself, what are we doing to decrease these numbers?
As part of our culture at Gilbane, we start off every meeting with a Gilbane Cares moment. Each moment is a helpful tip or reminder about being safe at work and at home. One of the many elements of Gilbane Cares is offering CPR / AED training classes in our local offices. First Aid/ CPR/ AED trainings and refresher courses are offered at no cost to Gilbane employees, so we can be ready to assist a colleague, family member or friend if they were ever in need of CPR or an AED.
In honor of American Heart Month, I’ve compiled some helpful tips and resources from the AHA that I’ll be sharing as Gilbane Cares moments throughout February. Hopefully they will help you start off American Heart Month healthier and more prepared.
Hands-Only CPR
Most cardiac arrests occur outside of a hospital, and about 1 in 5 occur in public. Do you know what you would do if someone at work went into cardiac arrest? Learning hands-only CPR will make you more prepared. According to the AHA it only requires two simple steps. First call 911, then push hard and fast in the center of the chest to the beat of a familiar song that has 100 to 120 beats per minute. Think of “Staying Alive” by the BeeGees to aid you!
Life’s Simple 7
The American Heart Association has what they call “Life’s Simple 7.” They are seven simple life changes that will help prevent stroke:
- Manage Blood Pressure
- Control Cholesterol
- Reduce Blood Sugar
- Get Active
- Eat Better
- Lose Weight
- Stop Smoking
At Gilbane we believe that everyone – our employees, clients, partners and the public – deserves a safe, healthy and secure work environment. As we enter February and observe American Heart Month, I challenge you to make at least one healthy change. Can you already check off Life’s Simple 7? If so, I challenge you to help someone else make a healthy change.
