Building Awareness for Heart Health

GROUP in The News

Building Awareness for Heart Health

February 14, 2025

February is American Heart Month.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S., but together, we can take steps to change that.

To spread awareness, we’re sharing the ABCs of Heart Health and some guidelines on high blood pressure. Plus, our team is wearing special hard hat stickers and red shirts as a daily reminder to care for their heart.

Let’s “Live Incident Free Every Day”—starting with our hearts.


What are the ABCS of heart health?

  • A: Take aspirin as directed by your healthcare professional. 
  • B: Control your blood pressure. 
    • Blood pressure measures the force of blood pushing against the walls of the arteries. If your blood pressure stays high for a long time, you may suffer from high blood pressure (also called hypertension). 
    • High blood pressure increases your risk of heart attack or stroke more than any other risk factor. Find out what your blood pressure numbers are and ask your healthcare professional what those numbers mean for your health. If you have high blood pressure, work with your healthcare professional to lower it. 
  • C: Manage your cholesterol. 
    • Cholesterol is a waxy substance produced by the liver and found in certain foods. Your body needs cholesterol, but when you have too much, it can build up in your arteries and cause heart disease. 
    • There are different types of cholesterol: One type is “good” and can protect you from heart disease, but another type is “bad” and can increase your risk. Talk to your healthcare professional about cholesterol and how to lower your bad cholesterol if it’s too high. 
  • s: Don’t smoke.

What do I need to know about high blood pressure? 

High blood pressure is the leading cause of heart attack and stroke in the United States. It can also damage your eyes and kidneys. One in three American adults has high blood pressure, and only about half of them have it under control. 

  • How is blood pressure measured? 
    • Two numbers (for example, 140/90) help determine blood pressure. The first number measures systolic pressure, which is the pressure in the blood vessels when the heart beats. The second number measures diastolic pressure, which is the pressure in the blood vessels when the heart rests between beats. 
  • When and how should I get my blood pressure? 
    • Take your blood pressure regularly, even if you feel fine. Generally, people with high blood pressure have no symptoms. You can take your blood pressure home, at many pharmacies, and at your doctor’s office. 
  • How can I control my blood pressure? 
    • Work with your healthcare professionals to make a plan for managing your blood pressure. Be sure to follow these guidelines: 
    • Eat a healthy diet. Choose foods low in trans-fat and sodium (salt). Most people in the United States consume more sodium than recommended. Everyone ages 2 and up should consume less than 2,300 milligrams (mg) of sodium per day. 
    • Adults aged 51 and older; African Americans of all ages; and people with high blood pressure, diabetes, or chronic kidney disease should consume even less than that: only 1,500 mg of sodium per day. 
    • Get moving. Staying physically active will help you control your weight and strengthen your heart. Try walking for 10 minutes, 3 times a day, 5 days a week. 
    • Take your medications. If you have high blood pressure, your healthcare professional may give you blood pressure medicine to help control it. It’s important to follow your healthcare professional’s instructions when taking the medication and to keep taking it even if you feel well.

Learn more about heart health at heart.org, or learn more about how GROUP is committed to overall health and safety at www.groupcontractors.com/safety.

Building Awareness for Heart Health[ssba-buttons]

February is American Heart Month.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S., but together, we can take steps to change that.

To spread awareness, we’re sharing the ABCs of Heart Health and some guidelines on high blood pressure. Plus, our team is wearing special hard hat stickers and red shirts as a daily reminder to care for their heart.

Let’s “Live Incident Free Every Day”—starting with our hearts.


What are the ABCS of heart health?

  • A: Take aspirin as directed by your healthcare professional. 
  • B: Control your blood pressure. 
    • Blood pressure measures the force of blood pushing against the walls of the arteries. If your blood pressure stays high for a long time, you may suffer from high blood pressure (also called hypertension). 
    • High blood pressure increases your risk of heart attack or stroke more than any other risk factor. Find out what your blood pressure numbers are and ask your healthcare professional what those numbers mean for your health. If you have high blood pressure, work with your healthcare professional to lower it. 
  • C: Manage your cholesterol. 
    • Cholesterol is a waxy substance produced by the liver and found in certain foods. Your body needs cholesterol, but when you have too much, it can build up in your arteries and cause heart disease. 
    • There are different types of cholesterol: One type is “good” and can protect you from heart disease, but another type is “bad” and can increase your risk. Talk to your healthcare professional about cholesterol and how to lower your bad cholesterol if it’s too high. 
  • s: Don’t smoke.

What do I need to know about high blood pressure? 

High blood pressure is the leading cause of heart attack and stroke in the United States. It can also damage your eyes and kidneys. One in three American adults has high blood pressure, and only about half of them have it under control. 

  • How is blood pressure measured? 
    • Two numbers (for example, 140/90) help determine blood pressure. The first number measures systolic pressure, which is the pressure in the blood vessels when the heart beats. The second number measures diastolic pressure, which is the pressure in the blood vessels when the heart rests between beats. 
  • When and how should I get my blood pressure? 
    • Take your blood pressure regularly, even if you feel fine. Generally, people with high blood pressure have no symptoms. You can take your blood pressure home, at many pharmacies, and at your doctor’s office. 
  • How can I control my blood pressure? 
    • Work with your healthcare professionals to make a plan for managing your blood pressure. Be sure to follow these guidelines: 
    • Eat a healthy diet. Choose foods low in trans-fat and sodium (salt). Most people in the United States consume more sodium than recommended. Everyone ages 2 and up should consume less than 2,300 milligrams (mg) of sodium per day. 
    • Adults aged 51 and older; African Americans of all ages; and people with high blood pressure, diabetes, or chronic kidney disease should consume even less than that: only 1,500 mg of sodium per day. 
    • Get moving. Staying physically active will help you control your weight and strengthen your heart. Try walking for 10 minutes, 3 times a day, 5 days a week. 
    • Take your medications. If you have high blood pressure, your healthcare professional may give you blood pressure medicine to help control it. It’s important to follow your healthcare professional’s instructions when taking the medication and to keep taking it even if you feel well.

Learn more about heart health at heart.org, or learn more about how GROUP is committed to overall health and safety at www.groupcontractors.com/safety.

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