Men’s Health Month – Devon Keys: Inspiring Health Journey & Tips

SFJ
Jun 24
2 min read

Picture collage of Devon Keys. Black man with peppered beard and hair. This graphic is from Walking Wednesdays highlighting Men's Health month

During the fourth week of Men’s Health Month, we are highlighting Team Chicago member Devon Keys. Keys is 55-years-old, married, has one son, two daughters, one granddaughter, is an Army vet and still actively employed. He enjoys bowling and fishing.

Devon Keys: “I had a heart attack 12 years ago at 43. Prior to that, I was not the type of person who went for annual checkups or screenings. I walked around sick with a clogged artery and didn’t know I had a heart issue because I was considered young. If I had been up on my health care, I could have prevented it. It was my diet and lifestyle. I ate what I wanted, drank alcohol and smoked cigarettes. I wasn’t feeling bad – that was my normal. I tell people all of the time that we know healthy from unhealthy foods and lifestyles. So one day I was feeling something but I still went to work. After work, I started feeling worse. My energy level was low and I was sweating but it wasn’t hot outside. I was going to take a nap in my car, which I might not have awaken from. I actually thought I was having a stroke. A co-worker took me to the emergency room when my chest started hurting, and I had shortness of breath, and hot and cold flashes. I was taken into surgery and had a stint put in my clogged artery. The doctor prescribed medication and told me to be more active, cut bad fat and sugar out of my diet, eat more vegetables and lose weight. I stopped smoking cigarettes that day, and started a gym membership to exercise. When I was younger, I was always athletic so I knew what to do, especially from being in the Army. Going to the gym with at least one person helps with accountability, and helps you to get up and go to the gym.

That entire experience taught me the importance of going to the doctor and sharing exactly how I feel. Men should not feel embarrassed about going to the doctor or getting screened. As men, we don’t want to appear weak or vulnerable. We are men. I feel better now but don’t feel as good as I think I should feel. My goal is to not have to take any medication. My message to men is, ‘Don’t be ashamed to be candid with your doctor so you can be treated properly.’”

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