43 years ago my father had a heart attack. He thought he had indigestion but had gone a very strange colour so I told him to get in the car and I would run him to A&E (I think that particular hospital is now downgraded to Minor Injuries. Despite driving like a getaway driver as his condition as his condition was obviously worsening he arrested shortly before arrival and could not be brought back.
A post mortem found severely blocked coronary arteries. Despite his brother dieing the same way a couple of years later and finding out their father had also died of a heart attack my GP never took my concerns seriously saying my BP and cholesterol were fine.
RIP Dad...
Written by
MichaelJH
Heart Star
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So sorry to read about your dad. It’s such a tragedy that so many people are living with a condition they don’t know they have. Those of us who are “in the system” are the fortunate ones in some respects as we have tests and scans and so on, but as many people know from experience, it can be difficult to be taken seriously . How awful you couldn’t get your dad to hospital in time. You did what you could and you did your best. ❤️
I endorse others words, Michael, but what I think you are really saying is should I push for more test. I would say yes, BP and cholesterol are not the only aspects to look at. If you can't get the GP-or another GP in the practice to initiate tests, keep pestering- I don't know your age, but it's better to be safe than sorry! Good luck, you have history and right on your side!!
I'm so sorry about your Dad and Uncle. That doctor who ignored you was not doing his job properly IMHO! My husband had a heart attack, then needed a quadruple bypass. His BP and cholesterol levels were fine. He didn't have any pain - just felt a bit odd in his chest. Best wishes, Michael.
Thinking of you Michael.My husband had his first (& hopefully last!)heart attack on Boxing Day last year,it came as a shock as he was always so healthy and fit.... he'd played football for over 40 years,since school.But heart disease is in his family too....his father, grandfather,aunts and uncles....so I guess we should of expected it but the family GP has never shown any concerns towards my husband's health and well-being....unlike a sister who is morbidly obese and a brother who smokes heavily.
My thoughts are with you Michael. It is good to remember those that have left our presence. My father died after a road traffic accident in 1964 and I still think of him every time I drive past the spot. Thankfully the road is now a dual carriageway and not the dangerous 3 lane road of the early 60s. I also remember my father on his birthday and on the day he died.
We live in a much better era than our parents when healthcare was surprisingly basic. I often wonder had my father been a generation later, would he have survived?
As far as GPs go, mine never related my high blood pressure to me having CVD. He just kept throwing more pills at me and upping the dosage. No questions were ever asked about my family history, but then in my case that would have revealed nothing.
Same her. My paternal grandfather was the youngest of 13 andt he only one to live past 50. I remember him being terrified as his birthday approached. All his siblings had what was then called dr opsy. My GP wasn't remotely interested.It was only a very young newly qualified doctor at Urgent care who asked about family history when I went down with breathlessness. He booked me for an urgent stress test but my HA happened before I got the appointment.
You don't tell us anything about yourself, but with the family history, you are right to be concerned. What age are you? Do you have any symptoms? Are you fit and healthy? Do you eat a healthy diet and not overweight?
My father (aged 47) and uncle (57) both died of coronary/cardiovascular issues. I always had an inkling that because of the genetics it would come for me one day. It did.
They had put me on statins in my 40s, but they didn't agree with me and I ditched them. Ultimately, I had HA end of 2019, aged 62, stented to the RCA which was the one that blocked. No prior symptoms. Played badminton, took plenty of exercise. Ate healthily. May 2021 was feeling what seemed like angina pains and after angiogram, I underwent triple bypass to the other 3 main arteries. I am now back playing my badminton to reasonable levels in 2 hour stints.
I do think it would be advantageous for you to have an angiogram given your similar family history to mine. Maybe a first step would be an ECG to establish any more obvious abnormalities, but angiogram is the only way to investigate the state of the arteries. Mine were 90%+ occluded despite my having no symptoms prior to the HA. Incredible really, considering the internal diameter of these vessels is minimal to begin with, and they are so vital to life. Speak to GP again or find another one.
Sorry to hear that especially as you couldn't get your Dad to the hospital in time that must have been hard to come to terms with. Today just think of all the happy times you had with him and how much you loved each other
Michael, so very sorry; I read this and felt it. I went in for hip replacement and had severe indigestion, mostly heartburn afterwards (while still in hospital). Fortunately I was in the best place as it turned out I that heartburn was actually a heart attack and I had two fully clogged arteries replaced with stents. I still worry every day however. Bless you and live on those wonderful memories.
I'm sorry for what sounds like your Dad's premature passing.I had a CABG×4 (quadruple bypass) 17 years ago when I was 47. By the narrowest of margins I avoided a heart attack, but had unstable angina due to severely blocked arteries.
Because I was quite young to have acute coronary syndrome (ACS) - i.e. less than 50 - and had relatively few of the main cardiac risks, it was suggested that my ACS probably had a genetic base.
My sons were teenagers then, but are now in their 30s.
I don't think they obsess about heart disease, but they are fit and healthy. They know that they may be at increased risk of heart disease because of me, and AFAIK it is in their medical notes. Nevertheless, I believe they are careful about staying healthy through diet, exercise, weight etc.
Depending on various things, e.g. age, BMI, BP, pulse, it might be worth reassessing cardiac risk, e.g. nhs.uk/health-assessment-to...
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