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Respected Contributor
Posts: 3,537
Registered: ‎03-15-2010

Worried about my heart health

I am so worried/concerned about about my heart health and heart disease risk, I am trying not to make myself crazy.

I have heart disease on both sides of my family.

--I am at ideal weight for my height

--Physically fit

--Have low blood pressure

--Low cholesterol

--Low stress

--Eat a very healthy diet, high in fiber, lots of fish and produce. No fast food or processed food.

--Do not drink or smoke

BUT so does my Mother, and she was just found to have a 90% blockage in one artery and 80% in another (both required stents) and a 50% block in another that they are going to watch.

My mother (65 y.o.) who I take after (in size, build, looks, allergies, etc) went to MD recently after complaining of "feeling tired" when they found all of this during a cardiac cath. All other traditional tests/labs said she 'was of low risk of heart disease'. Lucky for her she went to several doctors and specialists in search of an answer.....

I found a Cardiac Specialist who specializes in lipid profiles. Based on my family history I will need a lot of specific labs that are better indicators of cardiac risks -- of course insurances will not pay for them but it will be worth it to pay out of pocket.

In the meantime I am trying not to stress {#emotions_dlg.crying}

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 6,775
Registered: ‎03-13-2010

Re: Worried about my heart health

You sound like you are in good health. I have all good points except maybe stress, I worry about everything. I have no heart disease or cancer on either side. Relax and enjoy life.

Trusted Contributor
Posts: 1,295
Registered: ‎03-11-2010

Re: Worried about my heart health

Ask your doctor for a scrip to Get a cardiac calcium score. Insurance usually doesn't cover it,but it's not really expensive nor is it invasive. I'm sure your doctor will know lots more than me,so ask him before you listen to my suggestion. You are doing things right. Relax!
Super Contributor
Posts: 452
Registered: ‎07-24-2014

Re: Worried about my heart health

Dear Browneyegirl, as you know, all the worrying in the world will not help. It sounds like you are in great health. If your mother is 65, you must be in your 40's, and most likely have a good long healthy life ahead of you. It also sounds like your mother is doing great. I do have cardiac disease. I have had a triple bypass, 5 or 6 stents, but you know what? Life does go on. Even with all my issues, I do what others my age do and feel blessed that I do as well as I do. Medical care continues to improve, but it can't do much for worry. I used to be a huge worrier and had a very stressful job which didn't help me at all. Somehow, with the years (and maybe retirement, ha) I have calmed down and try to focus on the good things and not dwell on the negative. Get your tests done, and I bet they show you are fine, and then enjoy your life. Be well and be happy. I kind of sound like the song, Don't Worry, Be Happy. But it is good advice.
Trusted Contributor
Posts: 3,874
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: Worried about my heart health

You are "enjoying" all the miseries of poor health when you don't even have it! It sounds to me as if you're doing a great job of managing your lifestyle and maximizing your health. I'd keep doing what you're doing, discuss your concerns with your doctor at your next physical, and get on with life! NONE of us will live forever; that's a reality to come to terms with and accept. But it's foolish to waste active, healthy years being anxious about health problems that may never develop. You may need to find ways to deal with anxiety rather than spending your energy obsessing over the possibility of heart disease. Moderate exercise, yoga, meditation, counseling......look into some of these approaches.

I hope your Mom will do well. Doctors can do a lot now to help manage heart disease. Glad they caught your mom's problem in time, and she should be able to enjoy many more years of active health.

Trusted Contributor
Posts: 1,943
Registered: ‎08-12-2010

Re: Worried about my heart health

Like you, I too am healthy, but both of my parents died of heart disease (no heart attacks, just heart disease). However, they did live to 87 and 88. I wonder if I'm destined to get it too because of my genetics or if my diet/lifestyle will make a difference. I try not to stress out about it, but I am concerned.

Regular Contributor
Posts: 174
Registered: ‎03-16-2010

Re: Worried about my heart health

I never worried about heart issues at your age and did have a heart attack nearly 20 yrs. ago. I now have 3 stents. It's amazing what they can do to treat problems should they arise.

Neither of my parents had heart problems but it does run in my family on both sides. I'm afraid you can only do what you've obviously been doing. Other contributing factors are genetics and your body's production of cholesterol, neither of which we can control. I take comfort in the fact that I still do everything I always did (in my 70s) and that one family member w/heart disease and a pacemaker is now 94 yrs. old. She has always been active and still exercises daily, is a healthy weight and lived a life fairly free of stress. Guess it's best not to stress over things we can't control.

Respected Contributor
Posts: 3,537
Registered: ‎03-15-2010

Re: Worried about my heart health

I am trying not to stress thank you for the words of advice.

But as I age I am approaching to age that several of my 'healthy' relatives died of heart attacks. I am noticing the subtle symptoms my mother spoke of (that could be 100 things other than heart problems)

Unfortunately, it is an up-hill battle with doctors and insurance companies as 'one the surface' I (my family) have NONE of the traditional risk factors for CAD.

My traditional chol, HDL, LDL, VLDL levels and ratios are spot on, just like my mom's and other relatives. Unfort all our chol is lying in our arteries and not in our blood values.

So private pay is the only way to go. {#emotions_dlg.sneaky}

Honored Contributor
Posts: 15,523
Registered: ‎09-01-2010

Re: Worried about my heart health

First of all, you are taking the correct approach in trying to be proactive with your health, due to family genetics. Even though you may wind up bearing much of the expense for the testing, make sure all the charges are billed to your insurance anyway, as a means to establish your risk factors, and future coverage for any heart issues. Due to my high risk for colon cancer, I do colonoscopies every 3 years, but my doctor assures me I could do them yearly, with coverage by my insurance, because I have already established my risk factors with 10 years of documentation in my medical records. While you are trying to prevent health issues down the road, you are starting new documentation on these issues, so it is very important to establish such with your insurance company.
Super Contributor
Posts: 5,837
Registered: ‎03-01-2013

Re: Worried about my heart health

Stress is probably one of the main contributors to heart disease....how about mediation, or yoga to help you try to not worry and stress about your genetics so much? I understand poor genetics with my having OA. You are doing everything right! Bravo! Good for you! Just stay on top of things like you are doing already with your doctor and enjoy your life! Best thoughts to you!