Senior executives have a lot on their shoulders. Long hours and a high-pressure environment at work can put a huge strain on their health. Since they might start overlooking their wellbeing, companies become responsible for ensuring their health.
Based on the US Employee Benefit Trends Study by MetLife, it became apparent that employees are 74% more likely to be satisfied with their job if they feel holistically healthy. Additionally, they are 53% more likely to be productive. Essentially, keeping your employees and executives healthy is simply good for business.
It is not surprising that in 2023, a study by Goldman Sachs found that 66% of companies now offer physicals to their senior executives. It is an amazing strategy for mitigating key person risk.
But what are the most important health concerns you need to manage for your executives?
In this guide, we will tell you all about executive health and the 5 key health metrics that should be monitored by every health executive. Let’s get started.
What is executive health?
To monitor the mental and physical well-being of executives, companies invest in executive health programs that are customized to fit the busy schedules of senior leadership. Usually, executive health programs involve personalized health screenings, advanced diagnostics, consultations with specialists, and more.
Executive health goes beyond traditional primary care checkups and annual physicals. Instead, they include tailored health assessments, focus on preventive medicine, and give execs customized wellness plans.
Executive physicals usually cost from $1,000 to $5,000 per employee annually. This concierge medicine model is usually available 24/7 globally and even offers telehealth solutions to connect with doctors online.
Most of the time, executives have demanding jobs that put a huge stain on their health both mentally and physically. That’s why it’s important for their healthcare provider to monitor health metrics that are most likely to be affected.
5 key health concerns every executive should monitor
Keeping up a high level of health as an executive means having to pay close attention to certain health concerns. We’ve put together a list of the 5 most important metrics that executive health services must track as a priority.
1. Cardiovascular health
High-stress executive roles bring specific types of risks to the cardiovascular background of executives. From elevated blood pressure to increased risk of heart disease, this is an area that should be prioritized.
These risks increase if coupled with a poor diet, minimal exercise, and long working hours. Here are some ways to monitor cardiovascular health with the help of a concierge executive health clinic.
- Hold regular check-ups
An annual cardiovascular screening is a must for keeping your heart function, cholesterol, and blood pressure levels under control.
- Create a heart-healthy routine
Your concierge doctor can create a wellness plan that’ll include lifestyle shifts like jogging, yoga, or swimming to keep your heart healthy.
- Use wearables for monitoring health
Tracking heart rates and other cardiovascular metrics through smartwatches can give your doctor real-time data to keep your heart health in check.
2. Mental health and stress factors
Due to depression and anxiety, around 12 billion working days are lost annually, costing $1 trillion in losses in productivity. That’s why mental health tracking is just as important as physical health metrics.
To avoid burnout or anxiety that comes up because of high-pressure work environments, your executive health doctor can create a plan for your mental wellness. As a general rule, here are some things you can do:
- Remember to take regular breaks
Short breaks throughout the day can reduce stress and clear your mind. This is one of the ways you can monitor and control your mental wellbeing.
- Work with a mental health professional
Most concierge executive health clinics will offer mental health support to help you deal with mental pressures before they turn into bigger problems.
- Using telehealth for mental health
Thanks to the telehealth capabilities of concierge clinics, you will be able to reach out and hold virtual therapy sessions through video calls or other digital health platforms that fit your busy schedule.
3. Sleep quality
After working hard, it is also important to rest well. Sleep has a huge influence on cognitive function, memory, and decision-making, which are crucial for the productivity of senior executives.
Since lack of sleep can result in fatigue, poor judgment, and more, it is simply essential for execs to prioritize their sleep hygiene. Here’s how to monitor and maintain it:
- Come up with a consistent and realistic routine
Work with your concierge executive doctor to create a sleep schedule you will be able to follow. Most professionals will recommend that you get 7-8 hours of sleep every night.
- Track your sleep with wearables
Smartwatches can track your sleep, including its quality. This way, you can find patterns or even diagnose disorders like sleep apnea.
4. Metabolic health
Tracking your metabolism as an executive is simply a must. If your work doesn’t leave time for a healthy diet or regular exercise, your stress levels might result in metabolic issues like diabetes, high cholesterol, or even obesity.
With such issues, you might start experiencing lower energy levels or cognitive function, which are, of course, crucial for executives to perform at their best. Here are some ways to track your metabolic health:
- Get routine health assessments
A regular check-up can reveal a lot about blood sugar levels, cholesterol, and weight monitoring. If you work with a concierge executive doctor, you can rest easy knowing that they will get in touch and follow-up when it’s time for a check-up.
- Track your diet and hydration
Keeping an eye on your diet will help you create a regular eating routine. Additionally, you should track plenty of water throughout the day to support your digestion and overall metabolic balance.
- Track the levels of your physical activity
Working out for at least 30 minutes each day can be enough to keep your metabolism active, even if it is just a walk during luck.
5. Cancer screening
Finally, let’s talk about one of the most important health assessments – cancer screenings. While executives have busy schedules, it is still crucial for them to care about their long-term health and detect cancers like colon, prostate, or breast early.
With a concierge executive doctor who reminds you whenever it is time for a screening, you can rest easier at night. Here’s how you can effectively monitor your health from cancers and get overall better health outcomes.
- Attend regular screenings
Depending on your age and risk factors, you should schedule regular screenings with your doctor for mammograms, colonoscopies, and prostate exams.
- Learn about your family history
Understanding your risk factors is an important step in monitoring your health. So, gather info about your family’s medical history to understand your risk for specific types of cancer to monitor more frequently.
Conclusion
To succeed as an executive, you first need to maintain and monitor your long-term health and wellbeing. There are 5 key health areas that you need to monitor, including cardiovascular, mental, sleep quality, and metabolic health, as well as cancer risks.
All of these factors can affect your productivity, cognitive function, and more. So, consider executive health as one of the best options for health monitoring and maintenance.
With regular follow-ups prompted by your concierge doctor and wearable health trackers, you’ll be on the right path to better managing your overall wellness.
Lastly, remember that proactive health management is key to long-term success – both in the boardroom and beyond.
