In my previous post, I mentioned how much my family has been affected by heart disease, specifically mentioning my dad. My dad was in his 40s when I was born and when I first heard about how bad his heart really is. I was in kindergarten when my dad was rushed into open heart surgery with seven bypasses - way too many. Being only five, I didn't know just how serious heart disease is and how bad it was affecting my dad. Since then, my dad goes every year for tests and to see if there is blockage in his heart that would need a stent. It is a tense week in my family when those appointments come around, but the appointments are extremely necessary to not only my dad's health, but his life.
With me having so much experience with heart disease, it got me thinking, is this genetic? Am I at an increase for heart disease since my dad has a bad heart? I did some research and found that heart disease and risk factors for heart disease are strongly linked to family history. "Knowing you family's health history can help prevent both heart disease and stroke - the No. 1 and No. 5 causes of death in America" (American Heart Association, 2016). I know for a fact millions of families are just like mine and have family members suffering from heart disease. In fact, I'm sure some of you reading this now know someone who has unfortunately suffered from a heart attack or had stents put in to prevent blockage in the arteries. It is extremely common and very unfortunate.
It is SO IMPORTANT that we know our family history in all areas of health, including heart disease. We are always asked a million questions when at the doctor regarding smoking, pregnancies, cancer, and we are most definitely asked about heart disease in the family. Now, don't get me wrong, just because you have a family member who has heart disease DOES NOT mean you will automatically have problems with your heart in the future, but it definitely raises some red flags and means you need to be more active in knowing your family health history. I am very aware of the changes I need to make in my life because of genetics - I need to eat healthier, I need to exercise, I need to be in tune with my blood pressure, and I need to be in contact with my physician about my worries if I have any. While we can't change genetics, the more we are aware of who we are, our family line, and our family health, we can make the most of that information and live life as healthy as we can.
Healthy Heart, Happy Life!
Thank you for reading!
American Heart Association, (2016). Family History and Heart Disease, Stroke. American Heart
Association. Retrieved from http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/More/MyHeartandStrokeNews/Family-History-and-Heart-Disease-Stroke_UCM_442849_Article.jsp#.V_KcIqIrK2w
I really enjoyed reading your post and the information that you provided. I don't know a ton about heart disease so it was interesting to read all of the information that you provided about it. I'm sorry to hear about your father and his heart problems. I also feel like you are not the only one who has this same question about if heart disease is genetic. I also agree with you 100% about how knowing your family history is very important as well. My family has dealt with a lot of health issues, so it is very important for me to stay in tune and up to date. Overall great post and thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteYou're right, understanding our family's health history is so importing in understanding how to prevent different things, like heart disease. Great post, being familiar with these health problems are so important. Having to deal with something like that so young would be hard. Hope your dad is doing okay!
ReplyDeleteThis very interesting, and I love how you connected it back to yourself. The heart a major of the body, and I am glad you are talking about how it can be genetic!
ReplyDeleteThis very interesting, and I love how you connected it back to yourself. The heart a major of the body, and I am glad you are talking about how it can be genetic!
ReplyDeleteI appreciate this post. People should definitely know their family health history, to know about genetic diseases that may affect them. I like how you connected it back to yourself as well. This post was informative and straight to the point.
ReplyDeleteI agree that understanding your family's health history is important because it could help you in the long run and get help early. I definitely liked how you used some personal information in this blog, it really makes it more interesting. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI like the fact that your writing on a topic that's close to your heart. Also knowing your family's health history can help you know what to look for in your own health patterns. I agree with your post
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your post! I think its hard to find out your family history because you don't want to believe that something such as heart disease is prevalent in your family. However, I find it very important. Personally, I have unhealthy family on both sides and I know it causes me to be proactive when it comes to particular diseases. For example, most of my family members are smokers and I find it helps me not smoke because I have seen the many ways it has damaged numerous family members. I'm glad you touched on this subject and reminded everyone how important it is to gather insight on their family health! Great job!
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry that you had to go through all of that with your father. I don't know what I would do if I were that young and it happened to my dad. Knowing your families health history is SO important because it is good to be prepared for everything that is possible when it comes to your health. I do agree with you that just because someone in your family has a disease that it doesn't mean that you are doomed to get the same disease. Staying prepared and being proactive about your health is always a good thing. Great post!
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