February is a special month for the heart.
Not only is Valentine’s Day right around the corner, but February is also American Heart Month, a month recognized by the American Heart Association to raise awareness about heart disease, heart failure, high blood pressure, stroke, and other heart disease symptoms and treatments.
“In the United States, cardiovascular disease—including heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure—is responsible for one out of every three deaths. It is the number one killer of American women and men, and it is a leading cause of serious illness and disability,” President Obama said in his Presidential Proclamation Jan. 30, 2015.
It’s likely some of your patients are affected by heart disease, and February is the perfect opportunity to support those patients by recognizing American Heart Month and celebrating Valentine’s Day in your pharmacy.
Educate patients about heart health
Patients view you as a trusted health professional and will take your advice to heart. (No pun intended.)
Make it a goal to educate patients about heart health during February. Hold an educational seminar in your pharmacy for patients interested in learning heart-healthy diet tips, exercise techniques or consider offering a smoking cessation program for patients interested in quitting smoking.
Offer front-end promotions
Encourage your patients to live a healthier lifestyle by offering promotions on heart-related front-end products. Run the promotion throughout February. Or, even do a special offer just on Valentine’s Day.
Consider offering a sale or discount on items including, multivitamins, antacids, blood pressure monitors, weight management supplements, fitness products and dark chocolate.
You could also encourage sales by offering free Valentine’s Day gift-wrapping or a free pink, red or white gift bag with purchase.
Provide health screenings
Designate a week in February for low-price health screenings in your pharmacy. Or, offer free screenings on Valentine’s Day.
Services to offer could include blood pressure checks, screenings for heart-related diseases or one-on-one counseling with patients seeking a healthier lifestyle.
Donate for heart health
Consider donating your time or profits to local and national organizations dedicated to heart health awareness.
You could sponsor a heart health event, like a 5k race, and donate the proceeds to an organization, such as the American Heart Association. Or, consider donating a portion of the profits from your discounted heart health items to charities or organizations focused on preventing heart disease.
Motivate your patients to lead a healthier lifestyle by promoting heart health this Valentine’s Day and year-round.
