Upcoming Stress and Echo Test

[krista]

Hi,

I'm a 26 year old female, mother died in 1994 with "hardening of the arteries"; its inheritable.
I was told to have a stress test every 5 years, to essentially catch anything early.  

Ok, so on occasion I do have chest pressure and some pain.  I am able to work out a lot at the gym, and have never had to stop excercising.  I am overweight, and am currently dieting, I'm a non smoker and a very limited drinker.

I'm worried about this stress test, and the thought that I might have heart disease.  When I look things up on the internet, I see chest pressure and pain and stuff, as signs of heart problems...but mine aren't that intense, and it might be my anxiety.  

I just want to know the chances of actually  having heart disease, and if I'm going to make it to 30.  I do suffer from anxiety like I said...but its a scary thought, my mom was 45 when she passed...and I'm past the half way mark.

[krista]

My mom started to have heart problems when she was in her 30's...she had pretty bad eating habits, and smoked Export A.  She knew what she had...but from what I remember, and its been 12 years...she didn't do much to help herself.  I will never speak ill of my mom...but I would have gone into overdrive if someone told me something like that...just me though.

I'm just freaked, I do have anxiety to begin with, so these upcoming tests don't help me.  I"m thankful that I'm getting tested so soon, however its that 'what if' thats scaring me.

[anacyde]

Medicine has come a long way in 13 years, and you have the benefit of knowing and being able to modify your risk factors.  Though it is unlikely you have any severe disease yet, it is going to be vital that you are aggressive in controlling risk factors.  Exercise, avoid saturated and trans fats, eat a healthful diet, avoid smoke - both direct and secondhand.

[Pepperliveson]

Hi Krista There is early heart disease in my family as well due to inherited high (really high!) cholesterol.  My Dad had a heart attack @ 42 (but he survived it & died at 68).  I will be 42 in August. I worry alot about heart disease because I definitely inherited my Dad's really, really high cholesterol.  It's good that your doctors are on the ball because you can make a very big impact on your health by what you do now.  Eat right and exercise as much as you can.  If you have any risk factors like high cholesterol or high blood pressure, don't hesitate to take medicine for it - just do it.  Did your Mom know that she had heart disease or was it a surprise when she passed?  I really feel that you can change your destiny but it's hard & scary.  I know how you feel.  By the way, I've had several stress echos with no sign of any heart disease.  Just do your best to modify the risk factors that you can modify and get your stress-echo done as the doctors ask.  It's better to know!