YOUR LIFE YOUR HEALTH

Why it’s important to recognize your risk for heart disease 

Feb 23, 2023, 5:15 PM | Updated: 6:26 pm

SALT LAKE CITY — February is National Heart Month and heart disease is the number one killer in the United States for both men and women. But there are some ways that you can change your lifestyle to help prevent it.

Dr. Elizabeth Joy, Senior Medical Director for wellness and nutrition at Intermountain Health said it’s important to recognize your risk for heart disease.

She said if you have high blood pressure, diabetes, elevated cholesterol, or smoke, are overweight, not exercising, or have a family history of heart disease you are at risk. “We think of heart disease on some level of genetics hold the gun and the environment pulls the trigger,” she said. “By environment I mean our personal environment.”

Joy said to keep your heart healthy she recommends more sleep, exercise, and a better diet.

For 82-year-old Linda LeCheminant, eating right and exercising more has made all the difference to her health. She said that she changed her lifestyle about 25 years ago, after she had a stroke. “I was kind of concerned about my heart health at that point,” she said.

That’s when she started to see Dr. Elizabeth Joy. “Linda is a great example of someone who had a health incident and said what do I need to do to change, and she took it on with gusto,” Joy said.

Joy said LeCheminant is at high risk for heart disease and for another stroke, so she needed to make some changes to her lifestyle, like diet and exercise. “We say active at any age, active at any weight, active with any almost any condition, so move your way be active, it will have a huge impact on your life,” Joy said.

LeCheminant said it’s never too late to make a change. “I want to live awhile and be as healthy as possible,” she said. “You got to keep moving and tell yourself you can.”

KSL 5 TV Live

Your Life Your Health

Tina Gomez was 27 when she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis....

Emma Benson

‘It’s different every day’: Understanding multiple sclerosis and its prevalence in Utah

March is Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month, a chance to talk about this neurological condition which affects more than 30,000 Utahns.

15 hours ago

...

Emma Benson

National Nutrition Month: How to talk about body image with your kids

March is National Nutrition Month, a campaign designed to promote informed eating choices and positive body image.

7 days ago

Brady Dransfield (right) poses with his father, Scott Dransfield shortly after transplant surgery. ...

Emma Benson

‘Listen to your body’: Transplant survivor shares story for World Kidney Day

A kidney transplant survivor is warning others about kidney disease, including on World Kidney Day.

15 days ago

Mark Seguin in the hospital...

Emma Benson

Colon Cancer Awareness Month: Survivor urges screenings, early detection 

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, a chance to raise awareness of the number one cancer killer for men under 50, and number two for women under 50.

22 days ago

Comiske riding her stationary bike, something she does every morning....

Emma Benson

Strategies to lengthen your life

The CDC says, on average, women tend to live 5-7 years longer than men because men have a higher rate of cardiovascular disease, but there are simple, healthy ways to increase your life expectancy.

29 days ago

Chris and Aimee Tyler, speaking about their experience with Chris's pancreatic cancer diagnosis....

Emma Benson

‘Cancer can affect anybody’: Utah couple processes pancreatic cancer diagnosis

Pancreatic cancer is the third leading cause of cancer death in the U.S. and often goes undetected until it's advanced. One Utah County man is fighting for more time with his loved ones.

1 month ago

Sponsored Articles

Women hold card for scanning key card to access Photocopier Security system concept...

Les Olson

Why Printer Security Should Be Top of Mind for Your Business

Connected printers have vulnerable endpoints that are an easy target for cyber thieves. Protect your business with these tips.

Modern chandelier hanging from a white slanted ceiling with windows in the backgruond...

Lighting Design

Light Up Your Home With These Top Lighting Trends for 2024

Check out the latest lighting design trends for 2024 and tips on how you can incorporate them into your home.

Technician woman fixing hardware of desktop computer. Close up....

PC Laptops

Tips for Hassle-Free Computer Repairs

Experiencing a glitch in your computer can be frustrating, but with these tips you can have your computer repaired without the stress.

Close up of finger on keyboard button with number 11 logo...

PC Laptops

7 Reasons Why You Should Upgrade Your Laptop to Windows 11

Explore the benefits of upgrading to Windows 11 for a smoother, more secure, and feature-packed computing experience.

Stylish room interior with beautiful Christmas tree and decorative fireplace...

Lighting Design

Create a Festive Home with Our Easy-to-Follow Holiday Prep Guide

Get ready for festive celebrations! Discover expert tips to prepare your home for the holidays, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for unforgettable moments.

Battery low message on mobile device screen. Internet and technology concept...

PC Laptops

9 Tips to Get More Power Out of Your Laptop Battery

Get more power out of your laptop battery and help it last longer by implementing some of these tips from our guide.

Why it’s important to recognize your risk for heart disease