February was American Heart Month, a reminder to focus on habits every day that protect one of our most vital organs. For Joseph Krezowski, MD, a cardiologist at Logan Health in Kalispell and a proud Montana WWAMI alum, heart health is both personal and professional.
Dr. Krezowski grew up in Great Falls and attended Carroll College before starting medical school. He entered Montana WWAMI in 2003, and graduated in 2007. He still considers his classmates lifelong friends and credits the program with providing a strong foundation in medical and clinical sciences. He describes Montana WWAMI as “phenomenal” and emphasizes that it deserves the high praise it receives as one of the best medical schools in the nation.
The cardiologist offers practical advice for keeping hearts healthy for the long term. If there is one habit he urges patients to avoid, it is smoking.
“Smoking is still probably the number one bad habit leading to heart disease. It is harder on your heart and arteries than anything else.”
Quitting tobacco is critical, but prevention does not stop there. He emphasizes building healthy habits, with exercise serving as a cornerstone of cardiovascular and overall health. While many patients consider themselves active, that is not the same as structured exercise.
“Lots of my patients are active, but they are not exercising. I try to get people to realize that these two concepts are different, and also both important.”
For his cardiovascular patients, he recommends aiming for about 8,000 steps a day and 150 minutes of exercise per week.
“Exercise should include both cardio and resistance training for maximal benefit.”
When it comes to diet, he encourages a realistic and sustainable approach.
“I do not expect anyone to be perfect, but I ask patients to focus on eating fresh foods and avoiding processed options. Certain oils, such as olive oil, also have good heart-healthy data. As long as you focus on fresh, you will be on the right track.”
Managing stress is another essential piece of the puzzle. He highlights the role of stress management in supporting both cardiovascular health and overall well-being.
“When it comes to managing stress, everyone is different. I try to help guide each individual to find what they enjoy doing to manage stress, and to build that into their regular routine.”
Outside the clinic, Dr. Krezowski and his wife spend much of their time supporting their three teenagers and their activities. When the family finds a free weekend, they hike, bike and ski, and experiment with growing their own grapes, with their first true harvest on the horizon.
His message for lasting heart health is straightforward: small, steady habits practiced year-round can have a powerful impact for years to come.