The Challenge: Identifying the Risk for Heart Disease
Lynn Rutter exemplifies the mission of the UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute.
She sought guidance from a cardiologist to identify her risk for heart disease and create a personalized plan to reverse her risk.
Lynn receives care from Katie Berlacher, MD, at the Heart and Vascular Institute.
The Solution: Lifestyle Changes
Lynn credits Dr. Berlacher to helping her change her lifestyle.
“My doctor recommended some lifestyle changes for me. Some of them were not so easy to make,” said Lynn.
“I am on a weight loss plan and I’ve stopped smoking. I found that quitting smoking was actually easier for me than changing my diet. It goes to show you that you never know what you’re capable of until you try.”
A huge accomplishment, Dr. Berlacher threw Lynn a small office party when she quit smoking.
A smoker of 20 years, some of Lynn’s friends and family members did not even know that she smoked.
“The number one killer for women is heart disease, just like it is for men,” said Katie Berlacher, MD. “I am so proud of Lynn for taking charge of her health for the future.”
The screening process for identifying heart disease risks is easy and effective.
There a few things that doctors can measure that give them an idea of how at risk people are, including:
- Blood pressure
- BMI
- Hereditary conditions
- Ethnicity
- Age
- Lifestyle choices
Lynn's treatment and results may not be representative of similar cases.
Read more Heart Disease patient stories
Learn More About Heart Disease Risks
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