Family history of coronary heart disease

[Route38]

I'm 59 and just been diagnosed with CHD.

I had a bilateral hernia repair in January and when I started exercising again in March I noticed slight chest pain when walking to my spinning class, which would ease off and not reappear even when doing hard exercise. I have a slight hiatus hernia also and was having some reflux so put it down to bad indigestion caused by this. Went to the GP who discounted a clot after the operation and thought most likely it was indigestion. However, given my family history (my Dad was diagnosed with CHD in his early 50s despite being a lifelong non-smoker, non-drinker and fitness fanatic and the male line have all died of heart attack/stroke) I convinced the GP that further investigation was wise so was referred onwards.

At the end of May I had a CT angiogram and echocardiogram then heard nothing for 7 weeks so thought I might have dodged the family curse - then out of the blue got a call from the heart clinic to book me in for an angiogram and possible stent. Having had no follow-up communication about my initial tests (neither had my GP) I did the usual day of telephoning multiple numbers to no avail.

Now in full panic mode I booked a private consultation at the heart clinic to try and find out more. This happened within days. The consultant accessed my results and notes from the original consultant and told me I had narrowing in the LAD - mild narrowing before the first diagonal, severe stenosis in the first diagonal and after the second diagonal. He put me on artovastatin, aspirin and bisoporol.

So now I am booked in for an angiogram and possible stent at the end of August. This has come as a shock (but not a surprise given my Dads situation). My only real risk factor is family history given that I exercise regularly, don't smoke, drink moderately and am practically a vegetarian.

On an optmistic note, my Dad was diagnosed with CHD in 1981, had a mild heart attack in 1999 and a stent inserted, then had a replacement atrial valve in 2014. He is 93 and was living independently until 18 months ago. Hopefully I have those genes as well.

[WaywardSon]

I'm going through a similar story - 56, fit, no previous history and then discovered I have CAD and having a range of tests. Looks like I won't need surgery any time soon, but been put on beta blockers, about to start statins and possibly aspirin. So I absolutely feel your pain, and also the shock - especially when things like this seem to be communicated so poorly.

The guys and girls on here have been very supportive as I come to terms with all this and I'm sure people will chime in to comment and add support.

Only advice I can give is to keep looking forwards and make sure you do your own research on your condition and proposed treatment. The latter had certainly helped my mental health by giving me some sense of control and understanding, especially in the absence of quality feedback from the healthcare professionals. The BHF nurses also offer a free advice line, which I've used a couple of times to help me understand some aspects of this.

Take care.

[Hidden]

I would advise you to be look at your overall metabolic health. Being a full blown vegetatian isnt such a healthy diet in my opinion for someone with heart disease in their family.

I would advise to get your ldl particle count done along with lipoprotein little a tested to determine where in the percentile you sit for that risk factor.

I definetly dont advise drinking but thats your choice as alchohol is derived from fructose which is another risk factor.

I recommend the randox everyman test but wait for specials i got 20% off on fathers day, so test cost £235 with the discount and they repeat the tests after 6 months.

[Cavalierrubie]

l am sure, with the treatment you are about to have, will be for your own good. You are following in the footsteps of your dad and have his genes, so take inspiration from him that you will be ok and live a long life. Loads of wishes for getting well and putting this behind you and getting on with life.

[EndyII]

Welcome to the forums. In similar situation to you, diagnosed at 53 a few years back, family history - father died at 57, grandfather at 47 from heart issues. I been a vegetarian for 35 years, a vegan for 13, though not 100% the last 6. I exercised, drank moderately etc. They also thought reflux. But kept having issues so they found 80% in my distal LAD, but difficult to stent. But unlike yours it turns out that it was reflux and not angina with more tests. Take a cocktail of drugs to delay the need for stent. It’s been 3+ years and working out upto max heart rate, eating Mediterranean diet 95% of the time ( business trips are tough), and hoping the atrovastatin has stabilized some of my fattier plaque.

It’s amazing what can be done now. If my father was diagnosed 10-15 years later he would have had a lot longer life. Your father is proof that your life can continue and be full, take comfort in that, because I am by his example.

Thanks for sharing.

[TasteLessFood4Life]

Similar story at 48, terrible history dad's side and always had high cholesterol. Currently, taking statins and aspirin as primary prevention for controlling LAD stenosis.

[Badger1966]

Stay in positive attitude, keep strong I know it’s hard , think of the worst thing that can happen and . Someone will always change places with us . People on here will help . The most important thing listen to what you body is saying, get on with life yes it’s hard at times. But we cope

Regards Rick