Chamber staff in Dorset had a heart to heart about healthy living when a regional charity held cardiac health checks.
Employees at Dorset Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) were told to listen to their hearts when Wessex Heartbeat visited the business support organisation’s offices.
Dedicated cardiac nurse Ruth Burne tested 16 staff for high blood pressure, cholesterol, blood glucose levels, and body mass index (BMI) scores under the charity’s Healthy Heart initiative.
DCCI, the voice of business in Dorset, was among the first organisations in the county to take part in Healthy Heart as the charity rolls out the scheme across Dorset, Hampshire, Wiltshire, West Sussex and the Channel Islands.
Most DCCI staff received a clean bill of health or were advised to make some small but important adjustments – such as losing weight, eating more healthily or exercising more.
Chief executive Ian Girling said: “Staff are at the heart of nearly any business.
“A healthy workforce is a happy workforce. It can help reduce absenteeism, increase productivity and boost morale.
“Employers have a duty of care to be mindful of the wellbeing of their staff and ensure that there is a good work-life balance.
“I would encourage businesses to take up the Healthy Heart initiative to help achieve this.”
Ian added: “Our great thanks go to Wessex Heartbeat for making the time to come and give us such great advice and support.”
Wessex Heartbeat chief executive John Munro and commercial director Ken Wilde joined Ruth for the visit.
Ruth, who is a cardiac rehab sister at Southampton General Hospital, said: “Healthy Heart is a quick but very valuable way of checking on peoples’ health without them having to take time off work.
“All our findings are confidential, but we have picked up people with symptoms of diabetes and high blood pressure.
“As someone who tends to see people post-diagnosis, it’s nice to be part of something which works on prevention, rather than cure.”
The tests include measuring an employee’s height, weight and blood pressure as well as a pinprick blood test.
They are vital to pick up on high blood pressure and cholesterol, which are both silent killers.
Wessex Heartbeat levies a small charge for the service but can waive the fee depending on fundraising by a business or organisation.
Wessex Heartbeat is based in Southampton and covers the South Central region and the Channel Islands.
It has since raised more than £13million since 1992 to fund crucial improvements in cardiac care and funding the purchase of cutting edge equipment, clinical education and research.
DCCI has more than 760 members representing more than 37,000 staff.
