BL> ... There are five risk factors they go on about (in order):
 BL> family history, cigarettes, cholesterol, hypertension,
 BL> diabetes. ... I've only got one of those (family), ...

 RLA>  A genetic history is a biggie. If there's a
 RLA> genetic weakness of a particular arterery there isn't much
 RLA> anyone can do to prevent it busting except remove all other
 RLA> possibile causes. A genetic thining of a major artery...
 RLA>  

  That's an embolism or a stroke. Most heart attacks are occlusions,
where the artery just clogs up and kills that part of the heart muscle
beyond (the infarction).

  The problem with my father's family history (they *all* die of heart
attacks if they live long enough) is that they all die at 70. I'm only
57. Three of my paternal first-cousins have had heart attacks, but
they all got to 70. Why me, O Lord? I hold the family record by 13
years.

 RLA> I'm a much higher cancer risk 'cause both Grandmother's had
 RLA> it. All I can do is to keep a eye open for symptoms & avoid
 RLA> likely triggers when able. 

  Grandmothers aren't too bad (even two of them). You've got two
separate gene-dilutions working for you (unless the faulty gene is
dominant).

  The thing that gets up my nose, is that the "experts" tell me to do
what I've *been* doing for the last 6 years... walk 5K a day, keep the
cholesterol under 5, keep the weight under 83, control blood pressure,
and don't smoke... and have regular tests so they get their $90.

  I already know how much the tests are worth... nothing. I was
actually *connected* to an ECG at the time I had the heart attack!
ROFL! And the doctor says: "What's happening?" so I tell her "I feel
funny."

 BL> ... I gave up smoking 17 years ago (interesting; they only
 BL> count the fact that I *did* smoke - not how long ago I
 BL> stopped),

 RLA>  That's the latest medical trend I'm afraid. 

  Doctors are politically correct. It's everywhere! I asked the GP and
three separate cardiologists about Vitamins E, C, folic acid and
antioxidants... and they all said the same: "There are encouraging
results but it can be dangerous to rush in without a complete answer."
The message was: "leave overdoses of vitamins for now."

  In other words... it probably works but the AMA sees nothing in it 
for us. PC with a profit motive.

 RLA> I've seen reports suggesting a connection between fathers who
 RLA> smoked any time _before_ conception of the offspring &
 RLA> childhood cancer. Scary thought! 

  Political correctness is just wowsers revisited, wearing a baseball
cap backwards. They'll tell any silly lie because *anything* is
justified to a fanatic and you'll always get a percentage who will
believe anything. Look at religion. Wankers all.

Regards,
Bob


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