Feature: At risk of heart attack at 19

by Joshua Labrecque

Riley Girard was 19 years old in the doctor’s office when he got the news. If he didn’t make changes, the doctor said, “You will be at high risk of a heart attack.”

Girard couldn’t stop shaking in fear after he found out. After the doctor told him to take care of himself in 2019,  he did just that, though he did have slip ups here and there. When his parents and brother found out they pushed him. They made sure he stuck to everything the doctor told him too. If he slacked they would make sure to pick him up. They would make sure that if Girard wanted to give up they wouldn’t let him. He said “My family is a huge support system to me. I really appreciate them helping me through everything and keeping me in check.“

He then cut out soda, energy drinks, candy, caffeine, and so much more from his diet.He had a bad habit of eating only junk food and not getting out often which really increased the risk of everything. After cutting this all out he lost over 20 pounds. He said, “Losing that much weight really boosted my confidence in all this.” Girard is 6’3 and was a little bigger than he is now before losing that weight. He was about 220 before the diet. 

He also decided to exercise more. One day he was playing basketball when he realized just how out of shape he was. He got tired only playing about 20 minutes in. He found out that exercising a lot more and eating better in the year since his diagnosis made him feel more happy with his life as well and made his mental health better.

He said genetically he has heart issues in his family. When the doctor went to check him out he had an abnormally high blood pressure. He found out that if he did not stop what he was doing he would also increase the risk of a heart disease as well as diabetes. 

When he told his friends they felt bad for him. His friend Tyler said, “I was scared when he told me. I didn’t want my friend to suffer at such a young age. It made me fear for his life.” Tyler said he’s glad that he’s sticking to everything and staying healthy after that news. 

Riley Girard wants everyone to know that he is doing okay. He very happy that he has a huge support system from everyone. He knows that he will have to watch these conditions for the rest of his life and make sure he stays healthy. 

Feature Writing student Joshua Labrecque is doing well in this time of crisis. He hopes everyone is staying safe and being smart about what they do.