Of Hearts and Minds

Heart disease has long been the number one killer of Americans and people around the world. These aren't just statistics. Most of us know a friend or family member who is either battling this disease or has succumbed to it. But the COVID-19 pandemic has accentuated the risks of heart disease in several ways, such as: 

• Some of our neighbors have delayed screenings that could help prevent heart disease or identify it before it's too late.
• Lifestyle changes in diet and exercise since the pandemic began have put many people in poorer heart health than they were a year ago.
• The additional stress we've all felt over the past year has taken a toll on many people's cardiac health.

The news isn't all dire. In fact, if you're looking for inspiration, look to our caregivers recently designated as Intermountain LiVe Well Heroes. Our LiVe Well program provides new and novel approaches to promote healthy lifestyles through making good eating choices, finding creative ways to become more physically active, and refocusing energy to help both caregivers and our community members in their journey toward feeling better. I recently had the pleasure of meeting virtually with these caregivers during the LiVe Well Hero celebration. They were nominated by their peers as individuals who demonstrate their commitment to living well through their choices and actions. Their examples positively influence and inspire others around them—including me. Among those recognized is one colleague who lost nearly 100 pounds last year through a combination of diet and exercise. In fact, this caregiver motivated others in his family to follow his lead—inspiring one person to lose 60 pounds and another to lose 20 pounds. He's leading by example and helping his friends and family summon the same courage to take control of their health.

Heart health starts in the mind with a healthy outlook. One caregiver organized safe outdoor wellness activities as many of us worked from home. These sessions improved the mental health as well as the physical health of her department colleagues. Another encourages his colleagues to join him on mountain bike rides to support their mental and physical health. A couple of LiVe Well heroes took a more combative approach and started boxing to achieve a healthy mind and body. Don't worry—they weren't fighting one another.

I could go on. Our colleagues inspire me every day and I hope they inspire you. To me, they show we all can be an example for someone else to follow. It takes just one decision to make that first move. It's more important than ever to take care of ourselves.