Are you at risk for heart disease?

February is Heart Health Month and doctors are doing what they can to fight heart disease with awareness.

Health experts say the first step of prevention starts with a family tree, as many people have no idea there is a history of heart disease in their family.

According to the Center of Disease Control, heart disease is the leading cause of death in both men and women. Nurse practitioner Lesli Christofferson, for the Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center, said lack of exercise, a poor diet and high stress can increase people’s chances of heart disease. She said people are more at risk if they have a family history.

“It’s important that you know your family history, that you know whether or not there is a family history of high cholesterol or high triglycerides … it helps people know what they need to watch and to be checked closely by their primary care physician,” said Christofferson.

Cardiac recovery patient Lance Paxton knows firsthand how a family member’s medical history could affect his own health.

“You can hear it happening to others but it has nowhere the impact than when it happens to you,” he said. “My father died from an early heart attack, he was in his 50s.”

Paxton was born with a heart condition and didn’t find out until last October. He had to get aortic valve surgery and is now recovering.

“You can’t wait around and hope it goes away, you do have to find a doctor and get some help,” he said.

EIRMC is holding a free class called “a healthy heart at any age” on Feb. 12.