Fiscal Health Ties in with Heart Health

01/26/2010

Many consumers are finding that the current economy is creating havoc for their health as well as their personal finances, especially when it comes to conditions like stress and high blood pressure.

With that in mind, Union Bank recently announced that it is supporting the American Heart Association's Start! Program, which encourages people to walk and exercise more to counter the many sedentary hours they tend to spend at the workplace.

The bank noted that about 90 percent of Americans believe that monetary stress can affect their health, while 60 percent acknowledged that they were probably doing enough to properly maintain their personal finances. The poll also found that 63 percent of Americans find it more difficult to get financially fit than to get physically fit.

Those who do suffer from fiscal stress and unemployment may find it more difficult to secure health insurance at a time when they are more likely to suffer from conditions like high blood pressure and stress-related difficulties.

"We know that regular exercise lowers LDL (bad cholesterol) levels, lowers high blood pressure, and extends longevity and improves quality of life. And walking is one of the best exercises because it is free, people tend to stick with it, and it is accessible," said Dr. John Harold of the AHA.

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