Heart attack; what are my chances of dieing of a heart attack when i grow up?

Question

im 16, my father past away feb. 23rd 2006 of a amssive heart attack and my grandma died of a massive heart attack, both on my dad's side...is there any chance i will also have a bad heart when i grow up? i already have medical problems...i have a sleep apnea, a spinal cord problem and many alergies to different things, but most of those don't matter, im just very afraid of having a bad heart....could someone help me possibly?

also, to add on to what was already said, my mom has extreme high blood pressure that she does take med's for, and my dad was 49, and his mom was in the 80's, my grampa on my mom said has had 3 heart attack's not sever, but he had to have surgery 2 times because of it. i am scared, but i will take your advice and i will see a docter, eat right, excercize, and i wont smoke. my dad was a smoker and a drinker, so i know that it's bad for you, thank you all!

Answer 1

Dear Bobo:

I think it is very natural to feel worried about a heart attack if one's father has just died of one a couple of months ago.

Here is my answer:

FIRST: You ARE worried; the question is, SHOULD you be worried?

The answer is more difficult than just statistics. If you want statistics, cardiac risk, i.e. the risk of a heart attack can be easily calculated:

http://hp2010.nhlbihin.net/atpiii/calculator.asp

But as it states, this calculator, which is used nearly universally by physicians, applies only for those age 20 or greater. Why is that? Because the heart is like pump -- like any mechanical thing, be it one's car or one's sneakers, it wears out over time, and the older one is, the more likely one is have one's heart give out. Since 20 year olds rarely die of heart attacks (i.e. unless you do crack, etc), its not possible to calculate the odds for the "average" 16 year old.

SECOND: What IS a heart attack? Generally, it implies a blockage of one of the arteries supplying blood to the heart. The heart, like any muscle, or any machine, requires fuel -- in this case, oxygen, which is supplied to it by the piping called coronary arteries. When these get plugged up, like any pipe, what is needed can't get through. When this happens to living tissue, the tissue dies. In the case of the heart, as it is the main (and only) pump supplying blood to the rest of the body, if the damage is servere enough, then the pump (i.e. heart) completely fails, the entire body is starved of oxygen, and one passes away.

What, then, makes one more likely to have a heart attack? Many things, such as genetics, i.e. a family history of heart disease. But, from this discription, anything that stresses or clogs the piping (arteries) to the heart -- i.e. causes heart disease, also known as atherosclerosis. Stuff like high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes (sugar in the piping, like sugar-water on the table, is sticky and gums up the works), high cholesterol, obesity (which is often a cause of SLEEP APNEA), all increase one's risk.

Generally, when a healthy 16 year old walks into a doctor's office asking, am i at risk for a heart attack, the physician will likely wonder why the patient is asking, rather than being worried about the patient actually being at risk.

Which brings me to YOUR question: "could somebody help me?"

-- the answer I think is: please, please consider talking to a counselor at your school; friends, siblings, a hotline, a doctor. You are worried about your mortality; And right after a family member has died, more so. It's natural, but often, it helps to talk about it.

Go ask your doctor this question, and see what she or he has to say. It'll be worth it. As for heart disease, see your doctor regularly over the years, listen to their advice, and . . .

Keep well, keep healthy.

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Answer 2

Most people who die of heart attacks usually do so due to other factors besides a bad heart. A high cholesterol diet,allowing stress to voertake your life etc. I'm sorry that at your age you already have these problems but you don't mention high blood pressure or high cholesterol level. Since your dad and his mother passed I can very well understand your fear but sk your mother why your Dad had a massive heart attack and also ask about your Grandmother and what age were they . You can also have an appointment made for you to your family doctor who can do some simple tests(Not Painful) that will tell of the condition of your heart and I'm inclined to believe its healthy for to be diagnosed with your other problems esp the spinal there would have been some indication of a problem and further testing would have been done.Check also with a nutritionist to get a healthy heart diet-cut way down on fried foods-even french fries can be delicious when baked in the oven or ven now microwaved. cut way down or down to O on red meat,drink Skim milk for its Animal Fats that cause aretry clogging that stops the heart flow to the heart and no 1 cause of heart attacks-eat vegetables esp.the green leafy kind-Broccoli,Spinach,etc are all good. But a Nutritionist can really guide you now so you won't have problems from your diet later-Educate yourself now. Also fish oils are very good but because most fish is too high in mercury take fish oil pills 1only a day and your nutritionis can advise on the mg. Just don't think your next because it doesn't sound like a physical defect but more than likely diet and lifestyle. Relax-also learn to unwind from stress-yoga is great and Tai-Chi is even better. I wish you a healthy and long fulfilled happy life.

Answer 3

If heart disease runs in your family, which it sounds like it does, then yes, you could have a bad heart. But that doesn't mean you can't ward off a heart attack! You can eat healthy and exercise and not clog your arteries, which essentially causes heart attacks. I'm sorry to hear about your losses by the way and I hope you are doing as well as possible...keep your chin up! If you just stay healthy then your chances of having a heart attack will decrease. Or, if you have further questions you could call your doctor and I'm sure he/she would be more than happy to put your mind at ease, or at least give you some more advice! HOPE THIS HELPS!

Answer 4

I am so sorry for your recent loss. Some heart conditions are inherited, but not all of them. My father also died from a massive heart attack (when I was 9). My mother also had a heart attack later in life. My brother and I have very healthy hearts and we have both lived past the age when our Dad died. You are only 16 and you need to voice your fears to your doctor. You should ask him to check your heart periodically if for nothing else, to ease your mind.

Answer 5

If you are worried talk to your doctor about having a echocardiogram done. It is mildly expensive, but it will show most currently developing heart problems.

The only reason I suggest this is that there are heart disease that do kill people in perfect health at just about any age. A good guide to wheter you might need to have this done is if you have an extended family member(s) that have collapsed due to a heart disease with no warning although they were in otherwise good health at the time. That could be an indication of genetic heart disorders.

Answer 6

Sorry to hear you lost your dad so recently. I had a heart attack in 2002 and had triple artery bypass surgery and a valve replacement and some other heart surgeries and I am still alive, although it took me 3 years to recover. I have been making steady progress during that time with the help of my primary care doctor and my cardioligists whom I see and keep in touch with frequently. I suggest that you have age in your favor( I am 64) you should discuss your heart concerns with your primary doctor and with also a cardioligist . Heart medicine has made real good progress,even from the time I had my surgery. New advances will help all people with heart problems.I say to you Good Health in the future.

Answer 7

Considering your family history and your own current problems at such a young age, I would be very concerned to avoid becoming overweight. Eat whole grains and fresh vegetables as much as possible; stop drinking carbonated drinks; get regular exercise--even just walking several times a week. Do things, don't just sit around! Don't smoke! Choose a healthy lifestyle NOW to live a long life.

Some studies indicate that a strictly reduced calorie diet can also contribute to longevity, but as you are still probably growing I would find out your actual calorie needs and be sure to fulfill them with healthy foods that will build your body.

Answer 8

Heart disease is the biggest killer, regardless of family history. With your family history, you are certainly at high risk for heart disease. Sleep apnea is another risk factor.

First, you need to do the commom sense things: eat right, get plenty of exercise, and don't smoke.

Second, see your doctor and get your blood pressure and cholesterol checked, and find out if you should be on any medications.

Third, everyone has to die of something, so don't worry too much. Try to live healthy and treat other people like you want to be treated.

Answer 9

These are good questions, which of course are best answered by a doctor.

I'm not a doctor but I would say that, while your risk of a heart problem may be somewhat increased given your family history, you can decrease the risk with proper diet.

Also, it's important to get whatever kind and amount of exercise you can, within the bounds of your health problems. Whatever cardiovascular exercise you can handle -- again, in addition to proper diet -- can certainly help reduce your risk of heart problems.

See a doctor before engaging in any new exercise regimen.

Answer 10

Sorry to hear about your tragic losses.

I have recently been diagnosed with sleep apnea myself. I now have a CPAP machine to keep my airways open. My doc said without it my chances are 4 times more likely to have a heart attack or stroke.

Learn all you can about nutrition, exercise, healthy living, etc....
All these things can possibly prevent heart disease later in life. Also, talk to your family doctor and have check ups regularly. Your doctor's office will be able to help you arrange them and answer any questions in the mean time.