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Heart & Cardiovascular Disease
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Posted 8/22/2010 5:58 AM (GMT 0)
6 months ago yesterday, my Dad passed away suddenly from a heart attack, 4 months exactly prior to that my Papa (Dad's Dad) passed away, combination of heart and age. In '95 he had a quadruple bypass. Dad had no known heart problems. All 3 of his brothers and 1 nephew have had heart attacks, some multiple. My mom is on medication for blood pressure and I think(?) tachycardia. I know she uses nitro. Her Dad, my Poppy passed away in '95 from a heart attack and her sister my aunt has had a couple of heart attacks and takes nitro too.

I have had chest pain that I have felt in my back and in my teeth. But it's not in the centre, it's on the left side only. My blood pressure has pretty much been 100/60 and I have had the dr listen to my heart and she says it is fine. The pain has only happened a few times in the last couple of years. I can be just sitting there or sleeping when it starts. The dr figured it has had to do with my thyroid as I have hypothyrodism and am working on finding the right dose of Synthroid. I'm also a smoker, but I've recently started Champix to quit.

Should I be pushing for more testing as there is a family history? I did ask for my cholesterol to be checked and she told me I didn't need it. I know that I should go in to be checked when I have the sharp pain, but it's hard as I have 5 children and a single mom.
Posted 8/22/2010 3:17 PM (GMT 0)
Good Morning,

I am sorry for your losses.  I do agree  you have a a cause for concern as you appear to have a family history of heart disease on both your Mother's and Father's side.

When people ask "is my heart healthy?" most often they want to know ~"Am I in danger of having a heart attack?" Remember, the absence of symptoms plus a normal physical exam plus a normal resting EKG does not answer this question! The best way to sort this question out is to have some type of stress test.

I would talk with your Dr. regarding your concerns and know ahead of time that there are several different types of stress tests. Also wondering if you have your cholesterol levels checked regularly ?

I hope this helps you in some small way and remember to always advocate for yourself. 

Kindly,

Kitt

Posted 8/22/2010 5:07 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you. I've never had my cholesterol checked. For the most part I do eat healthy due to my daughter having Crohn's and ensuring that she and the other kids eat healthy. I know I don't get enough exercise. Sitting around in hospital rooms tend to do that to you. I've always been so busy looking after the kids medical issues that I have a hard time finding time to go for me. It was just recently that I had the wake up call after Dad passed that I need to take the time for me to. I'm no good to the kids if I get sick. I don't want to be paranoid about it, but do want to be sure kwim?

I will go back to the dr and tell her that she needs to listen to me. If not, I will go somewhere else. A complete physical should be done. I haven't had one since I was pregnant with my youngest and she is now 3 1/2.

Thanks again.
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