I just love your articles... they alway provide clarity and simple steps anyone can choose to take to experience a healthier quality of life and hopefully add a few years with continued independence.
As they say "if you don't take care of your body, where else are you going to live?"
My Husband's heart stopped and he died, just before he turned 80 and his Grandfather died the same way. Otherwise he was healthy, my concern is for my Grandchildren and the hereditary issue? What should we look for as they mature. All healthy now in 20s and 30s?
I'm sorry for your loss. I have had two friends loose their fathers at 80 give or take a year and in one case he had just seen his doctor and was told he was doing great but that really meant great for an 80 year old man with early signs of dementia. It's still impossible to predict within days, weeks or even years when a heart attack will hit. Unfortunately though it isn't rare statistically anyway for men to pass suddenly at about 80. My own dad had his final heart attack at 62.
When assessing if you have a family history of heart disease the doctor should ask if you have a father or brother that had symptoms of heart disease before 40. They aren't concerned to hear about your grandparents or uncles and ants. This is my experience in Canada.
I would suggest that everyone get tested for LP(a), in my opinion more scientific than asking about your parents and siblings. About 1/5 have elevated Lp(a) which will increase their risk and justify earlier and more aggressive treatment. I'll admit I'm more interested in this because I have high levels and doctors in Canada don't seem to do this simple test without requesting it.
I'm not a doctor but it may be worth having your grandchildren tested for Lp(a) by 30 or 40 and then follow doctor's directions from there. I hope this helps.
As always the answer is 'it depends' on many of the factors at play and in general I cannot make clinical recommendations to a patient who is not under my care. Best to chat to your primary care physician as a first port of call and if necessary a cardiologist. Apologies I can't be more specific. Hope that helps.
Love to read all the information and so do my friends. Thanks Dr Paddy Barrett
Thanks Kay
I just love your articles... they alway provide clarity and simple steps anyone can choose to take to experience a healthier quality of life and hopefully add a few years with continued independence.
As they say "if you don't take care of your body, where else are you going to live?"
Thank you Padraig - Glad you are finding value in them.
My Husband's heart stopped and he died, just before he turned 80 and his Grandfather died the same way. Otherwise he was healthy, my concern is for my Grandchildren and the hereditary issue? What should we look for as they mature. All healthy now in 20s and 30s?
I'm sorry for your loss. I have had two friends loose their fathers at 80 give or take a year and in one case he had just seen his doctor and was told he was doing great but that really meant great for an 80 year old man with early signs of dementia. It's still impossible to predict within days, weeks or even years when a heart attack will hit. Unfortunately though it isn't rare statistically anyway for men to pass suddenly at about 80. My own dad had his final heart attack at 62.
When assessing if you have a family history of heart disease the doctor should ask if you have a father or brother that had symptoms of heart disease before 40. They aren't concerned to hear about your grandparents or uncles and ants. This is my experience in Canada.
I would suggest that everyone get tested for LP(a), in my opinion more scientific than asking about your parents and siblings. About 1/5 have elevated Lp(a) which will increase their risk and justify earlier and more aggressive treatment. I'll admit I'm more interested in this because I have high levels and doctors in Canada don't seem to do this simple test without requesting it.
I'm not a doctor but it may be worth having your grandchildren tested for Lp(a) by 30 or 40 and then follow doctor's directions from there. I hope this helps.
Great article! Know your ApoB! Get a calcium score, especially if you have family history.
As always the answer is 'it depends' on many of the factors at play and in general I cannot make clinical recommendations to a patient who is not under my care. Best to chat to your primary care physician as a first port of call and if necessary a cardiologist. Apologies I can't be more specific. Hope that helps.