My dad died suddenly from a heart attack aged just 57. It was a common thing for men back then. He had angina but the cause of it was most likely his weight, smoking and beer. He was also a returned serviceman, having served in New Guinea during WW II.
Mum lasted until she was 93 and only died then because she decided one day to stop eating and drinking. She was being cared for in an aged care facility and had dementia. She neither smoked nor drank alcohol and was still playing tennis in her 80s.
Based on my family history my GP became concerned when at menopause my usually low blood pressure began to rise, and he sent me to a cardiac specialist for a work up. I was found to have some plaque in an artery near the heart that, if it detached could result in a coronary, so I was put on an aggressive regime to lower my cholesterol using a statin, but the side effect was severe coughing when I lay down to sleep at night. My GP changed the medication to a low dose statin plus another chemical that boosts the statin's effect. No side effects since then.
The cardiologist stopped seeing me some years ago because he judged my heart health to be average for my age. That's good enough for me.
Ever since, I have taken a daily composite for cholesterol and another tablet to control blood pressure. The GP monitors my BP and cholesterol regularly. I am now 82. My diet leaves a lot to be desired in that I am a red meat eater, prefer butter to other spreads, enjoy full cream milk, chocolate and other sweets to substitutes, and I salt my food. However, I am still on my feet enjoying life.
If I am to die of a heart attack or stroke, which is always on the cards, I will go peacefully into that dark night because life has been very good to me and I have no regrets, nor have I any unresolved issues.
Meanwhile I will continue to listen to and co-operate with my GP until he retires, and after that with his more junior partner.
)
