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We know that heart disease and stroke are among the most widespread and costly health problems facing America’s employers today.

Importantly, they also are the most preventable.

According to CDC Foundation's Business Pulse, “In 2011, cardiovascular disease cost the United States more than $300 billion—nearly $1 billion each day—in healthcare costs and lost productivity.”

And the costs are expected to get worse. The post states: “As the U.S. workforce ages, the economic impact of cardiovascular disease on America’s healthcare system will become even greater. By 2030, annual direct medical costs associated with cardiovascular disease are projected to rise to more than $818 billion, while lost productivity costs are projected to rise to more than $275 billion.”

Indeed, some key Business Pulse: Heart Health facts:

• Each year, more than 1.5 million Americans will suffer from a heart attack or stroke.
• Reducing sodium intake to 2,300 mg per day could save $18 billion in healthcare costs and reduce cases of high blood pressure by 11 million annually.
• Heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases contribute more than $320 billion—nearly $1 billion each day—in medical costs and lost productivity.
• Strokes alone cost the United States almost $34 billion in 2011, including $17.5 billion in direct costs and $16 billion in lost productivity.

One way the CDC tries to address the problem is by co-leading Million Hearts, “a national effort to prevent 1 million heart attacks and strokes by 2017 by aligning public and private initiatives—including employers—across the United States.”