Grand Junction turned red on Friday as hundreds flooded Intermountain Health St. Mary’s Regional Hospital for the annual Heart Health Fair. With February marking National Heart Health Month, doctors delivered a wake-up call that stunned many attendees: heart attacks are no longer just an “old person” problem. They are striking people as young as their twenties.
Young Hearts Under Attack: The New Reality Doctors Want You to Know
“Anyone can have a heart attack,” Dr. Jennifer Springer, cardiologist at Intermountain Health, told the crowd. “We still picture the classic older man clutching his chest, but I’m seeing patients in their twenties and thirties now. That’s the scary part.”
The numbers back her up. New data from the American Heart Association shows the rate of heart attacks in adults aged 20-39 has risen nearly 20% over the past decade, driven largely by obesity, diabetes, vaping, and uncontrolled blood pressure.
Free Screenings Reveal Shocking Results in Minutes
Long lines formed at every station. Attendees rolled up sleeves for instant blood pressure checks, cholesterol finger sticks, and body-fat analysis.
One man in his early forties walked away pale after learning his blood pressure hit 168/102. “I thought I was fine because I don’t feel anything,” he said. “This just saved my life.”
Nurses handed out bright red cards listing the warning signs of heart attack and stroke, urging everyone to keep them on the fridge.
Hands-On CPR and AED Training Saves Lives When Seconds Count
Emergency responders set up life-size mannequins across the gym floor. Families took turns practicing chest compressions while learning the beat of “Stayin’ Alive” keeps perfect rhythm.
AED machines, now found in most schools and businesses, were demonstrated step-by-step. “Push hard, push fast, and don’t stop until help arrives,” instructors repeated. Every participant left knowing exactly how to use one.
The Sugar Table That Left People Speechless
One display stopped traffic. Clear cylinders showed exactly how much sugar hides in everyday drinks: 16 teaspoons in a large soda, 14 in a sweetened iced tea, 12 in a popular energy drink.
“That’s why my blood sugar is through the roof,” one woman whispered to her husband as they stared at the towering white piles.
Simple Changes That Slash Your Risk Starting Today
Doctors stressed prevention over panic.
The big five lifesavers remain the same:
- Move 30 minutes most days
- Eat more plants, less processed food
- Never smoke or vape
- Know your numbers (blood pressure, cholesterol, A1C)
- Manage stress and get enough sleep
“These aren’t secrets,” Dr. Springer said. “They’re just things we stopped doing.”
The fair ended with a sea of red shirts and a powerful reminder: heart disease remains America’s number one killer, but most cases are preventable.
If you missed the event, St. Mary’s Cardiology Clinic offers free blood pressure checks year-round, and the American Heart Association website has tools to calculate your personal risk in under five minutes.
Take care of your heart. It’s the only one you’ve got.
