Any one here have a family with bad hearts?

ladyredlight

I am just curious if and when you started to be seen by a cardiologist?

My great-grandmother had a pacemaker, my great grand-father died of heart ailments, my grandmother has a pacemaker, my grandfather had a valve that didn't work properly and my dad has an enlarged heart.  None of that is working in my favor now is it? Not sure why it popped in my head today.

oct11bride03

Do you have a PCP? If so, are they aware of the family history?

If you don't need a referral I'd make an appointment now. Better to go early and find out what things you can do to make sure you're taking good care of yourself. 

folligirl

Both my parents have heart condition and so does my sister.. I started seeing a cardiologist in my early 30's.  I'm fine but I still see one every year just to be safe.

ladyredlight

oct11bride03:

Do you have a PCP? If so, are they aware of the family history?

I don't.  My dad is seeing the cardiologist tomorrow so I asked him to ask if I should be seen. 

ladyredlight

oct11bride03:

Do you have a PCP? If so, are they aware of the family history?

I don't.  My dad is seeing the cardiologist tomorrow so I asked him to ask if I should be seen. 

oct11bride03

ladyredlight:

oct11bride03:

Do you have a PCP? If so, are they aware of the family history?

I don't.  My dad is seeing the cardiologist tomorrow so I asked him to ask if I should be seen. 

Good call. I hope it goes OK!

ladyredlight

oct11bride03:

Do you have a PCP? If so, are they aware of the family history?

I don't.  My dad is seeing the cardiologist tomorrow so I asked him to ask if I should be seen. 

shorewife

I don't but every doctor I have looks at me like I'm going to drop dead right there in their office once they find out my family history.  I just get general bloodwork, cholesterol screen, and occasional EKG from my primary doc at this point since I'm apparently healthy right now.

MsHan

my grandmother had a pacemaker, both my parents have high blood pressure - i do too.  I saw a cardiologist for the first time when I was 28.  I get an echo every 5 years -ish

BeachBaby07

ladyredlight:

oct11bride03:

Do you have a PCP? If so, are they aware of the family history?

I don't.  My dad is seeing the cardiologist tomorrow so I asked him to ask if I should be seen. 

I doubt he is going to say no. I never met a Dr who doesnt want any more patients

You should have a stress test done (treadmill test) and echocardiogram done at the very least. Even if your PCP says you can wait, do you want too? If you have medical insurance there is no reason to wait to have these tests done since its all over your family history. I have been worked up twice and I am 38. My father's side of the family has all died of heart attacks in their early 40's and have blood pressure issue, but for some reason the women are OK. I dont count on that to continue to be true so I like to be safe and be proactive and make sure its all in working order. I would rather find out I have an issue to watch then have a heart attack be the 1st time I find out about it. 

laurenpetro

BeachBaby07:

ladyredlight:

oct11bride03:

Do you have a PCP? If so, are they aware of the family history?

I don't.  My dad is seeing the cardiologist tomorrow so I asked him to ask if I should be seen. 

I doubt he is going to say no. I never met a Dr who doesnt want any more patients

You should have a stress test done (treadmill test) and echocardiogram done at the very least. Even if your PCP says you can wait, do you want too? If you have medical insurance there is no reason to wait to have these tests done since its all over your family history. I have been worked up twice and I am 38. My father's side of the family has all died of heart attacks in their early 40's and have blood pressure issue, but for some reason the women are OK. I dont count on that to continue to be true so I like to be safe and be proactive and make sure its all in working order. I would rather find out I have an issue to watch then have a heart attack be the 1st time I find out about it. 

my gyn, for one, doesn't take new patients.  just saying.

laurenpetro

to answer your question, both of my maternal granparents died from heart issues but they were both in their 80s so i don't really worry about that as much.  my mom kicked from a heart attack (but really, the multiple pots of coffee and packs of indian reservation generic brand cigarettes didn't likely help matters).  my dr isn't overly worried but i did have a baseline EKG at my last visit.  then he told me to lose some weight and stop my romance with salty french fries.

Jerseyjessie

I do from both sides: it sucks and is scary.

My PCP is well aware of my family history and how concerned I am about it.

I have had an EKG performed and actually found something but it is not treatable with meds. I just make sure to have my cholesterol tested, be active and have my yearly check ups. I will keep asking if and when should I have some more in detail testing done such as an echo or other vascular tests since heart disease is so prevalent in my family.

browneyedgrl4282

My father and his father both had heart issues but not until they were each close to 70 years old. My father had two open heart surgeries in 2000/2001 and no one thought he would pull through that, little over 11 years later (2 weeks ago) he past away. I use the same PCP as my father so he is aware of the medical history.

Liz051405

My PCP suggests a full cardiologist work up in a few years, but for now I have the typical EKG done and have had an echocardiogram done and all was well.

As for the person that asked if you'd wait if you PCP said to, yes. 1) She checks my heart and 2) I happen to think one of the major reasons the health insurance/health care industry in this country is so fvcked up is because people say "it doesn't cost me anything, so why not?". Well, it costs you something and you just don't realize it.