Who knows of the "Widow-maker" gene for heart attacks?

[Simba's Mom]

DH had a blood test this morning for the gene. His father died of a major heart attack at the age of 51, and DH has already out-lived him. He's already on Lipitor (20 mg), so I'm not sure what they'll do if he has it. But I sure don't like the sound of that gene! Anyone here with any knowledge of it?

 

[m&m's mom]

I am not sure. My DH had what his Cardiologist called a "Widow Maker" last June. That's funny because I did not remember it was called that until you posted.
Reactive C protein has something to do w/it but I do not believe it is the "gene" you are referring to.
DH is a little over 11 months after his "Widow Maker" event.
Maybe someone will see this that knows your answer.

 

[Pooh's Pal]

Bumping this up...I'd also like to know...
My other half passed away 8 years ago at age 48 of a massive heart attack and his dad passed away when he was only 16 of heart failure also!

 

[janette]

I've heard of it, I don't know that it would make a difference to have my DH tested. I would expect that he carries it along with most of his Fathers family. My FIL passed away in March, he was 67, had his first bypass while in his 40's. Had another when he was about 60. He also had Diabetes, Lymphoma and some other health problems. He was the youngest of 12 and has 1 surviving sibling. Almost all of them have died of heart disease at fairly young ages.

My DH takes 40mg of Lipator, high blood pressure meds and has recently been diagnosed with diabetes and has another drug for that. He also smokes so I don't plan on much, he's 44.

I'm not sure what testing for the gene would do at this point except confirm what we already know.

I do think that it might be something I should do for my girls so any and all preventatives could be used for them if they carry the gene, but there are also ramifications of insurance and all those other issues that have been raised when it comes to gene testing.

 

[janette]

Here are some links:

The Heart Attack Gene

Family, Doctors Find Heart Attack Gene

First gene linked to heart attacks discovered

Google Search - Heart Attack Gene

 

[Blondie]

Thanks for posting this. My DH will be 48 in June, the same age his father was when he died from a heart attack. My DH is also on Lipitor for high cholesterol.

He's been putting off having a Nuclear Stress Test (for whatever the reason) and maybe by sending him these links, it'll get him motivated to get it done! And fast!

Thanks again!