Hi, My Dad died from Coronary heart disease in 2015, and sadly lost My Mum too in 2022, to g same disease although, she also had heart failure and diabetes. My Dad had his first heart attack at 54, the age I am now,.
wondered what my risks are from following Mum and Dad. Dawn
Hi there, I’m sorry that you have lost both your parents to coronary heart disease. There are some risks you can control and others (like your family history of premature heart disease) that you can’t. I would urge you to speak with your GP about your individual risk factors. Eg, do you smoke, are you overweight or have diabetes, how much exercise do you do, as well as tell them your family history. I had a heart attack at 51, it was a complete shock. Because of my relatively young age I am eligible for genetic testing to see if there is a genetic reason, this is especially important as I have an identical twin and two adult children and I would never want them to experience what I went through. You may also be eligible, so it’s worth checking. In the meantime, try to live as healthily as you can.
Thank you. I’m not overweight, I lead a pretty active lifestyle. Eat pretty well too. I don’t drink, don’t smoke.
I suppose, it’s worth speaking to my GP about it. I don’t want the worry to take over my life. Thank you for your kind words. Dx
Please don’t listen to people who tells you “you’ll be fine”.
Obviously do not overreact but be conscious of your family risk and take steps to prevent any future major issues. I firmly believe that for heart health prevention saves lives.
I have congenital heart disease and my daughter, even though super active and healthy, during a echo at my heart hospital, that I pushed her to have, has been found with Lambl’s excrescence, a defect which is normally common in elderly patients and in her case is congenital. She’s only 18 and she’s now under the care of my hospital and goes back for yearly check-ups. She’s on a small dose of cardio aspirin to prevent strokes but she doesn’t need surgery atm (if this filament of tissue does not grow 🤞🏼🤞🏼).
Bottom line: even if fit and healthy I think we all should be checked over once in a while, especially with a strong family history of major cardiac events in the family. I was lucky that my GP understood the urgency of referring my daughter to my heart hospital because of my history, maybe you will need to push a bit harder with your gp but my advice would be not to leave anything to chance.
All the best 
Thank you so much. I mentioned it to the Nurse when I went for an MOT! And she said I shouldn’t be worried. But you do.
I am so sorry to hear about you losing your parents while they were so young. I can see why you are worried. It might be worth contacting your GP's surgery to see if they can give you some sort of check over. I assume you are doing the usual things like eating well and getting exercise.
I can't comment on your case, obviously, but I can tell you about a friend whose grandmother and mother died aged 52. She is now in her late 60s. Don't feel your doom is sealed.
Have you had any genetic testing to rule out it being genetic? My grandad died from severe heart problems and my cousins son has heart disease and my two brothers have hole on the heart so I definitely got it from my grandad I just don't know what heart issues he had 💔.
It's the "not knowing", isn't it, that's worrying. My father died at 61 from heart problems, just like his father and apparently most male family members. No genetic testing then! The female line of his family were extremely long-lived, so a male link was definitely involved. I have no siblings, and only daughters, but I do wonder about my male grandchildren, one of whom was investigated for a possible heart murmur when much younger. Hope all currently well with you.
Hi Dawn21 lost my Dad in 1974 (69)Lots Mum in 1983. (66)
Young brother 2011 (57)
Other brother 2018 (68)
Last year I celebrated my 70th birthday
Had a double bypass in Dec 2020(didn't have enough veins for triple
Enjoying every day
You'll be fine
Prayers and hugs for you x x
My husband’s side of the family have all had heart disease so when my husband had his heart attack and surgery I asked the consultant how that impacted my sons. They told me to start with a cholesterol check. It sounds like you have a healthy lifestyle anyway but definitely talk to your doctor.
Hi I’m in same boat as you only I lost my dad age 51 and he wasn’t overweight he was down to have a triple bypass within few days after his death. My mum died 60 also with heart and so did my grandad mums side and nanna dads side. I’m 58 now on high blood pressure. On my medical records it’s got family history of heart disease. But I’ve spoken to my doctor and he doesn’t seem concerned but if he does guess he won’t tell me. I try not to overthink about it. As my dad used to say if you’re number is up it’s up and nothing you can do about it.I also don’t drink or smoke or put salt on my food etc
Hi Dawn21 My parents and grandparents on both sides all died from heart and circulatory problems, all apart from maternal grandmother in their mid/late 70s. It's something I have been concious about for many years. I don't smoke, drink very little and have always been active. My BP was high so I was on Ramipril for quite a few years. Cholesterol levels OK. Christmas 2019 I had a stroke which was thrombolised with no after effects. Subsequent investigations revealed Afib and DCM, the latter caused by radiotherapy for BC. I'm not suitable for any surgical intervention so it's meds only. I'm now 77 and determined to get to 80! As others have said, given your family history get checked out and do so regularly, like you I want to break the family heart chain.
Hi my dad died at 62 he never smoked or drunk and was normal weight, his mum passed away when he was 10. I never thought much about it. Then when I was 58 I collapsed, I had arrythmogenic cardiomyopathy and severe heart failure, I went for genetic tests and nothing showed up at all, by this time I needed a transplant and when they took my heart away they found out I had a faulty gene. DSR they then asked my immediate family to get tested my brother is fine my older son refused and my youngest son unfortunately has it, he is 42 and at the moment his heart is normal but now he is on radar they will be able to spot changes right away and take appropriate action before it's too late to do anything about it. I did ignore the way I felt and just put it down to old age, how stupid was that. I hope you get some answers char.
Hi Dawn, I’m sorry to hear that you have lost your dearest parents. I lost my Dad, 2 brothers, a sister, and most recently 2 Nephews. All aged between 48-54 from family inherited heart disease.
I suffered a heart attack at 55 and had an emergency Quadruple Bypass which saved my life. I by chance saw a different GP and she was horrified that we had not been referred to a Lipid Clinic. I saw the consultant and we are now having DNA tests to identify who has the nasty Heart Disease Gene as it has passed to a 3rd generation. Turns out it is our Livers that is not making good cholesterol, only bad. My statin was changed immediately to ROSUSTATIN and cholesterol levels satisfactory after many years. I’m just about to start 2 new tablets for the Liver.
The Consultant said without testing we would carry on losing younger ones in the family so now in the process of having all family members tested.
Ask your GP to refer you to your nearest Lipid Clinic as it could save your life.
Jane x
You don't say if you've had your cholesterol tested and to me, that would be the first start of the process. Like you, I was reasonably fit and healthy, didn't smoke or drink, but an excessively high cholesterol reading was the first indication that I had familial hypercholesterolemia, an inherited condition which makes me more prone to hardened arteries. I think any GP would do one anyway before referring you to a lipid clinic.
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