February is American Heart Month, a reminder about the importance of focusing on cardiovascular health. Heart disease remains the leading cause of mortality for people in the United States, which may be surprising given that it receives far less media attention than many other conditions. In fact, cardiovascular disease claims more lives than all forms of cancer and accidental deaths combined, according to the American Heart Association. Even though heart-related deaths have been reduced by half over the past century, cardiovascular disease continues to be the nation’s number one cause of mortality since the American Heart Association was founded in 1924.
According to the World Heart Federation, an estimated 80% of deaths caused by cardiovascular disease — including heart disease and stroke — are preventable. With prevention playing such a powerful role, now is the ideal time to focus on heart health. Sutter Health Plan members can take advantage of a broad range of programs and services, many offered with no cost share, created to support and strengthen heart health.
Preventive Care
Seeking preventive services is encouraged and reflects a proactive approach to health. During yearly checkups, primary care physicians may recommend screenings that help identify potential health issues before they become serious, and early detection can often lead to better long-term outcomes.
Partnering for Your Best Health, Sutter Health Plan’s annual health maintenance guidelines, offer members an easy way to look up recommended checkups, screenings and immunizations by age group. Tips for maintaining a healthy weight and diet, caring for well-being, and more are also included.
Health Coaching
Risk factors for heart disease include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, unhealthy diet, unhealthy weight and inactivity, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Along with support from their doctors, Sutter Health Plan members can take advantage of the Health Coaching program to set goals and build healthier lifestyle habits. Offered at no cost share, this program provides one-on-one telephone sessions with a personal health coach who helps identify barriers to self-management and encourages meaningful lifestyle changes for improved wellbeing. Members can enroll in the Health Coaching program by calling 844-987-6095.
Mental Health Support
Stress can trigger the body to release adrenaline, a hormone that temporarily causes breathing and heart rate to speed up and blood pressure to rise. If stress becomes chronic, it may lead to high blood pressure, which can increase the risk of heart attack and stroke.
For mental wellness support, members may self-refer to schedule secure, confidential in-person or virtual visits with a participating behavioral health provider through Carelon Behavioral Health of California, Inc. (Carelon), anytime without a referral from their primary care physician. Members can schedule a visit through USBHPC by calling 844-398-0314 or online at carelonbh.com/sutterhealthplan.
Members can also find additional resources, including a library of webinars, and health and nutrition tip sheets, by visiting sutterhealthplan.org/members/health-wellness.