CLEVELAND, OH, August 3, 2023 - The American Heart Association hosted an educational program celebrating its first-ever Hard Hats with Heart campaign in Cleveland on Wednesday morning at Cleveland Clinic’s main campus. The event brought construction industry leaders and workers together with American Heart Association staff and Cleveland Clinic medical experts to discuss the health risk factors that disproportionately affect the cardiovascular health of the construction industry.

Hard Hats with Heart is the American Heart Association’s industry-specific health and wellness initiative targeting the health of the construction industry. The campaign’s year-round focus is to integrate health, well-being and prevention solutions into the culture of the industry to address these risk factors and reduce cardiovascular disease among the trade.  

Led by Bill Peacock, Cleveland Clinic’s Chief of Operations, who serves as the inaugural Hard Hats with Heart Campaign Chair, Wednesday’s event drew more than 55 attendees representing various construction and design companies and is on track to raise $100,000 for the American Heart Association’s mission.

Industrial careers are hard work. They require early start times, long hours, strenuous activity and sometimes eating what is on hand rather than what’s healthy. On top of that, they are physically and mentally demanding, oftentimes requiring crews to work second and third shifts, that can result in poor or irregular sleep patterns.

“In an industry that’s dominated by projects, the most important project we will ever work on is the health of ourselves and our teams,” said Peacock. “With the construction industry at an elevated risk of heart disease, we are focused on engaging industrial workers and inspiring them to live longer, healthier lives.”

Attendees also heard from Cleveland Clinic physicians, Brad Borden, MD, James Sauto, MD and Christopher Myers, DO, on industrial worker wellness, knowing the difference between cardiac arrest and heart attacks and the life-saving importance of hands-only CPR.  American Heart Association staff was on hand to offer educational resources, including workplace wellbeing programs and tools to create a cardiac emergency response plan for the worksite.

 

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About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. We are dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities. Through collaboration with numerous organizations, and powered by millions of volunteers, we fund innovative research, advocate for the public’s health and share lifesaving resources. The Dallas-based organization has been a leading source of health information for nearly a century. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, Twitter or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.   

 

For Media Inquiries:
Jordan Van Dootingh, Communications Director
Jordan.vandootingh@heart.org | 419-602-3388
For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)
heart.org and stroke.org