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OGDEN — Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in every racial group, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention statistics, but a Utah doctor says small changes can make a big difference in heart health.
Dr. Michelle Bischoff, a cardiologist at McKay-Dee Hospital in Ogden said the most important thing for people to do to get ahead of heart disease is to know their risk and make a plan with their primary care provider.
As part of National Heart Month in February, Intermountain Health is hosting a free heart fair on Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at McKay-Dee Hospital's Education Center, 4401 Harrison Boulevard, to help people learn how to reduce the risk of a heart attack.
The nonprofit health care organization is encouraging participants to wear red, supporting National Wear Red Day and heart disease awareness.
At the event, visitors will be given self-assessment kits to identify what is impacting their heart health; they can have their blood pressure checked and learn how to manage it, learn about a heart-healthy diet and exercise, take 30-minute classes on various topics, and sample heart-healthy foods.
Intermountain Health is also encouraging people to take its Healthy Heart Quiz and access other heart-health resources through its website during the month.
Some of the risk factors for heart disease include high blood pressure or cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, obesity, an unhealthy diet or lack of physical activity, Intermountain's website says.
