(Image: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System; Allison Bell/ALM)
February has long been associated with shades of red and pink and an abundance of hearts — but not only the candied variety. It is also American Heart Month, a time for health education and awareness of cardiac disease, the leading cause of death for men and women alike in the U.S.
Though focus rightly remains on the coronavirus pandemic, other issues continue to affect Americans' health. Along with COVID-19, when provided a list of several medical conditions, heart attack and stroke were among the top-five that respondents or a household member were diagnosed with or treated for in 2020, according to the 2020 Aflac Health Care Issues Survey.
February is American Heart Month, providing another reason for brokers to reach out to their clients, advising them to remind their employees against neglecting their overall health. It's an opportune time to reinforce that there are benefits options that can help their workers stay healthy and more financially secure. Here are some considerations.
Heart Health and Family History
Heart disease is strongly linked to family history and other underlying issues. While getting a DNA kit to learn about your ancestors may provide some information, knowing about your immediate family's health can help you identify you own potential risks. A combination of heredity with existing unhealthy habits such as lack of physical activity or an unbalanced diet can increase risk for heart disease.
Stephanie Shields is senior vice president of broker sales at 
