$225,000 Raised to Bring Heart Health and Lifesaving CPR Training to Middle Tennessee’s Construction Workforce
The American Heart Association – Middle Tennessee’s Hard Hats with Heart® campaign equips design and construction workers with cardiovascular health education and CPR training
NASHVILLE, Tenn., May 27, 2026 — In Tennessee, workers in the construction sector face a disproportionately high risk of cardiovascular disease compared to other industries. The American Heart Association, a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives, is working with industry leaders to change that—bringing heart health education, prevention resources and lifesaving CPR training directly to work sites across Middle Tennessee.
The Association’s Hard Hats with Heart® campaign raised $225,000 this year to bring cardiovascular health education, disease prevention resources and CPR training directly to construction industry workers across the region. Glenn Myers, senior vice president at Robins & Morton, and Tara Myers, principal at Earl Swensson Associates, led this year’s campaign.
“Construction and industrial careers are both physically and mentally demanding, and that strain can take a serious toll on heart health,” said Annie Thornhill, executive director, American Heart Association- Middle Tennessee. “Hard Hats with Heart is about meeting this workforce where they are, raising awareness, providing practical tools and driving research that saves lives.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
- 1 in 4 construction workers are obese, increasing their risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
- 1 in 3 construction workers use tobacco, the leading preventable cause of death in the United States.
- Nearly half of all construction workers do not get enough exercise, a key risk factor for both heart disease and stroke.
- 1 in 25 construction workers have diabetes, which significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular disease.
“You can’t be truly safe without your health,” said Glenn Myers. “Construction work demands a lot, early mornings, long days and tough conditions. This campaign is about helping our workforce prioritize their health so they can be at their best on and off the job.”
Cardiac arrest doesn’t discriminate by job title. Approximately 366,000 people die from it each year in the United States, and nearly 1 in 5 of those events happen at work or in a public place, according to the American Heart Association. Bystander CPR can double or triple a victim’s chance of survival.
Hard Hats with Heart® puts CPR training on job sites and in offices alongside health programming that addresses tobacco use, nutrition, physical activity and heart disease prevention, not as a one-day event, but by integrating it into their work culture.
“Heart disease isn’t always visible, but it is one of the biggest risks facing our workforce. Bringing CPR training and heart health education to work sites is one of the most important ways we can make an impact,” said Tara Myers. “Hard Hats with Heart helps start real conversations about heart health while giving teams the tools to respond when it matters most.”
For more information about Hard Hats with Heart, visit heart.org/NashvilleHHwH or contact Lily Adix at Lily.Adix@heart.org.
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About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public’s health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.
