Sedentary employees risk heart attacks

Sedentary employees are nearly twice as likely to have a heart attack as those who enage in physical activity, delegates at a conference in Dublin were told today.

The IHF claims that promoting physical activity in the workplace could not only save lives, but also make good business sense as it can reduce absenteeism rates by as much as 20 per cent, thereby saving firms up to €1.5 billion.

“The work performance of employees who are physically active can increase by four to 12 per cent. By promoting physical activity in Irish workplaces, employers reduce the risk of coronary heart disease,which remains a major cause of premature death and disability affecting production costs in terms of replacement costs, training and sick leave,” said IHF chief executive, Michael O’Shea.

He said that although many companies provide positive support to employee well-being by organising regular health checks, physical activity is still under-promoted in the workplace.

“Physical inactivity is of the same level of risk for cardiovascular disease as high cholesterol, smoking and high blood pressure. Yet very few workplaces engage in promoting physical activity, which is relatively low in cost and brings a wide range of health and social benefits for the employee and economic benefits for the employer,” said Mr O'Shea.

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children Mary Wallace told delegates at the conference that according to the recent SLÁN - Survey of Lifestyle Attitudes and Nutrition in Ireland- nearly a quarter of the Irish population are not physically active at all and another quarter are not active enough for good health. It is highly likely that this scenario is the same in the workplace, she said.

Ms Wallace also formally launched the IHF's active@work physical activity programme for companies. The initiative, which is supported by the Health Service Executive and Irish Sports Council, includes a range of activities that can be done in the workplace.