Hearts.
A healthy one can be the difference between a long, vibrant life and one cut tragically short. A damaged one — especially when genetics are involved — can change a family forever.
Since I can remember, my mother has told the story of losing her father to a massive heart attack in 1974. He was only 40 years old. He smoked and drank socially, and like many men of that era, likely didn’t think much about preventive care. His death happened before my time, but the impact has shaped my family for decades.
Thirty-nine years later, history repeated itself. My mom’s brother — my uncle — died from a massive heart attack at just 49.
Three months after that loss, my mom went in for a check-up. At 48 years old, doctors found she was 98% blocked in what’s commonly known as the “widow maker” artery.
She had been exercising. She watched what she ate. She had done many of the right things. Still, genetics proved powerful.
Thankfully, doctors caught it in time. She had a stent placed at 48, and a few years later, another after a second blockage. Of her four siblings, each has either had a stent placed or suffered a heart attack in their 40s or 50s.
Genetics can be brutal.
Fast forward to this week. I had my annual physical. To be transparent, both my mom and my wife have been adamant about making sure I see a doctor regularly. I have had symptoms at times — thankfully cleared through several tests — but when you know your family history, you do not ignore warning signs.
My life is not exactly stress-free. Running a growing business and raising a growing family brings long hours, travel and, if I am honest, seasons where exercise and diet are not always prioritized the way they should be.
During my appointment, my doctor told me that if my cholesterol does not come down, she would like me to begin taking a statin. It is a medication that can be controversial in some circles, especially on social media and even within my own family. But her explanation resonated with me.
Her husband, who has a very similar genetic background and is also a physician, credits much of his heart health to starting a statin around my age.
I am not a doctor. But as it was explained to me, a statin can lower cholesterol and help reduce some of the buildup already present in the arteries. Like any medication, it can have side effects. But for someone with my family history, it may be lifesaving.
Without today’s medical advancements, I might not live to see 60.
That realization hit me hard.
So during Heart Month in February, I am making a decision. I will likely begin taking the statin if needed. More importantly, I am committing to a more disciplined approach to exercise and nutrition.
Winter can be long. Travel can disrupt routines. It is easy to grow complacent. But a recent stretch of 50-degree sunshine reminded me that renewal is always possible.
For those who are on the fence about scheduling a check-up, getting blood work done or taking symptoms seriously — please do not wait.
My grandfather and my uncle did not get that second chance.
I am blessed every day that my mom did.
And I want my kids to be blessed that I did, too.