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

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!

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/calcul...

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.

-------

Disclaimers:

In addition to the disclaimers already stated by Yahoo.com:

NOTE: The information communicated here does not constitute or imply a patient-doctor interaction or relationship; the reader and/or recipient of any "answer" agrees to hold the writer harmless from any loss, harm, injury or damage resulting from or arising out of your submission of the question or your use of or reliance on any response thereto.

As Stated: Yahoo! Answers is provided for informational purposes only, and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health professional before starting any new treatment or making any changes to existing treatment. Do not delay seeking or disregard medical advice based on information on this site. No health information on Yahoo! Answers, including information about herbal therapies and other dietary supplements, is regulated or evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and therefore the information should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease without the supervision of a medical doctor.

you fall under HIGH RISK category. If serious life style changes are not considered than chances look bleak for you. No sugar coated response here but real one from first hand experience so get your priorities in order.. and soon.. Report It

dont smoke, dont drink booze, dont take any meds that arent prescribed by a doctor for you personally, keep your weight normal for your age. Get a check up and tell the doctor exactly what you are afraid of. Limit all fats in your diet. Also research the exact cause of your fathers heart attack.

Well, I think there is a strong possibility that it runs in ur family and can be passed on to you.......Be careful......Take care of ur heart....

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.

with that family history your chances are good of getting one .. but it depends on if you are you going to let it happen.. or are you take charge of your life and make sure it dont.... eat the right foods and exercise and most important dont smoke... you control your destiny not genetics....

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Eat whole grain foods Stay away from pork and eatings lot's of red meats. exercise regularly. drink 8 to 10 glasses of water daily
and take glyconutrients.

someone dies in the US every 35 seconds from heart disease.

Sudden Cardiac Arrest is the number one Killer. Learn CPR/AED you may help love one and someone may help you. Get a AED CRPlus Medtronic.

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.

I Promise you If you take this information serious. You have nothing to worry about :)

You can turn this around but you will have to have the courage strength and desire.

Start on these steps right away!!!

First 1. Call 877-teach-me. And order the free tape and book!!!

2. Order Sam Biser's Book Resurrection at http://www.sambiser.com

3. This one is tough but start on a juice fast for 30 days. Just buy the juice man jr for about $50 bucks. Or go here for more info https://www.asseenontvnetwork.com/vcc/ko...

4. Watch this movie trailer!
http://whatisthesecret.tv/revealed
Then buy it

5. If you need a coach with the steps to help guide you along the way, order the Sam Biser videos on ebay!!! -12 Videos- it鈥檚 called (save your life course). Order these tapes and watch them.

6. STUDY THIS INFORMATION AS IF YOU鈥橰E LIFE OR SOMEONE YOU Love LIFE DEPENDS ON IT


7. JUST DO IT !!!


And remember I have seen people with 90% bone cancer Survive!!!


Read this

In our life鈥檚 we see people go through alot of pain, where they did not seem to really know where there going, so we searched for answers in health, relationships, and long life success. We went to the depth of the earth for cold hard facts. We care for all people and I want them to know the truth. Well all I can say is Kevin Trudeau is right on track with his books. My research does come from years of looking into the health field and I will say there our many others like Kevin Trudeau that have not come out of the closet maybe because of fear? Here are a few websites for you to look at. I will not give the websites out here but what I will do is give the name of the website and you can go to a search engine and find them right on top.

(The homeostasis protocol), (Sam Biser), (Dr Richard Schultz), (sanoviv) (hippocratesinst)

The success stories of these people are just amazing.

I believe one thing!!! All of these masters on health agree on one thing DO NOT CHASE A DISEASE!!! Because you鈥檒l lose like millions have done already (Death). The way to knock out the disease is to give it an environment that it can鈥檛 stand to live in, like a fish out of water. Take care of your self and remember to pass this information on to the people you love and see in pain. Please take care of your self and your love ones. This time on earth is very short for all of us.

Contact me by email when you completed these steps...


I LOVE YEA

God Bless

Have a Wonderful Day... Keep your head up and don鈥檛 quit!!!!!!