bad genes

i dont know if this is the appropriate place to post this , but here's my worry. both my grandfather's died from a heart related condition. my grandfatehr on my dad's side had mulitplie heart attacks through his life, and died a few years ago from a series occuring over a few days. my grandfather on my mom's side died of sudden caridac death, or cardiac arrest.neither men smoked or drank, and neither were overweight. my parents are not giving me information on them, but all i know is my husband has mitrovalve prolaspe, and it makes me very on edge about my son. where do i start? what should he be tested for?

[kitcurious]

Mitral valve prolapse doesn't cause coronary artery disease. A heart attack can damage the mitral valve, but that is not the scenario you paint here. You speak of just MVP. If your husband has MVP and does not have significant regurgitation, it is highly unlikely to ever cause him any harm. It is usually a benign finding.

Also, if neither you nor your spouse has CAD your son is not at high risk. Grandfathers are not 1st degree relatives like parents are, let alone greatgrandfathers. You only share 12.5% of a great grandfather's heredity.
It's a stretch to worry about that for your son.

[often]

I agree with kit.  It's kind of a stretch.  How old is your son?  If you are seriously concerned and need to have tests done to be more comfortable, discuss with your primary.  If he/she feels it is warranted, you can be referred to a cardiologist.

I think probably the best thing you can do is make sure your son learns proper diet, limit the heck out of fast food, and make sure he gets exercise...and doesn't sit around on the computer or watching tv.  That sets the stage for a healthy lifestyle throughout his life.

[FLBrat]

Very good answers above.  Change your name from mominfear to momingear and follow the diet and excercise advice made by often.  Proactive beats the heck out of reactive.

[pvcqueen]

most pediatricians check kids cholesterol levels routinely, and put them on low cholesterol diets when needed.  My kids doc did that because he said he saw too many children who lived on fast food, french fries and pizzas whith sky high cholesterols.  The school food isn't good either.