Saturday, December 1, 2012

A Family History

I'm supposed to be doing my anatomy right now, but HAD to share some information I learned from talking to Mom about some family health history.

My Grandfather (her father) died from a heart attack at age 52. His dad died of a heart attack as well as his brothers (except for one.. he had one but lived). She said he drank a lot and didn't watch what he ate, so that obviously added to the risk. She also said a family doctor had told them it was a condition that ran through the men - a heart attack "gene", I guess? I tried googling it but didn't come up with anything. I'll probably ask my anatomy and health teachers about it.

I also learned that my Grandmother/Nana (Mom's mom) had a stroke (well.. I knew that), but HER mother did as well. They believe Nana's was from a hormone replacement medication she was taking, but was the risk higher because of the family history?

Moments like these make me ecstatic. I am SO glad I lost weight. I probably lowered my risk a ton, as well as lost it all now while I'm younger so it won't be harder later. Maybe these heart issues could point to why my circulation in my fingers and toes are bad? Or why I'm iron deficient?
Either way, I'm a lot healthier now, and I considered myself blessed to be so.

I'm also thankful diabetes and chronic obesity isn't in my family either. Nor major cancers!

This news has certainly given me a skip in my step and motivation to A) continue my health journey, B) up-up-up my cardio workouts, and C) finish this darn anatomy so I can get my research paper done. Blah.

Namaste,
T. Smith

Song of the Day:
Pull Me Back to Earth
Friendly Fires