HSFB spreading the love with healthy heart tips

Yesterday was Valentine’s Day and the management of the Barbados Light & Power (BL&P) showed their staff just how much they love them.

The Heart & Stroke Foundation’s Chief Executive Officer, Fiona Anthony, led a team that visited the BL&P’s Bay Street, St Michael, headquarters and shared with employees heart stickers, fresh red apples, and lots of literature and sound advice on the importance of taking care of that important organ which is keeping them alive.

The technical staff and those working in administration were informed that taking care of the heart and preventing strokes involved keeping track of their cholesterol and blood pressure levels, while maintaining overall healthy and active lifestyles.
The Foundation currently provides Light & Power with the service of an in-house nurse, who takes care of the basic health needs of employees.

In delivering brief remarks, Anthony said yesterday’s initiative, which was well received by the staff, was a continuation of the Heart and Stroke Foundation’s partnership with the company, which she said is always conscious of ensuring employees’ health is a priority.

She said the focus was not only about promoting healthy diets and regular exercise, but also the need for staff to be aware of their risk of cardiovascular disease and what they may be doing to cause it.

“People need to be aware of what their blood pressure is, what their glucose level is and what their cholesterol levels are as well, to try and see if we can pick up cardiovascular disease earlier.

“And also, where cardiovascular disease is identified, provide the necessary referrals to treatment. So we are very happy to be here on Valentine’s Day and to promote a healthy heart in the month of February,” Anthony said.

Director of Shared Services at the BL&P, Roger Babooram said as the company works towards creating an environment where employees are healthy and productive, the relationship with the Foundation will be strengthened.

“We are very happy to share in this initiative with Heart and Stroke and we hope that our employees will see the benefit, not only today, but also in the days and years to come,” Babooram said. (AH)