I’ve been rather fortunate to have only ever been to 2 funerals previously, and the last of those was over 20 years ago. My third came last week, and was that of my Dad’s best friend. I’ve known him over 40 years myself. It’s easy to speak highly of the dead, but Mark really was someone special. He was a pillar of the rural Warwickshire community where I grew up, very active in our local church, and was one of those people who only ever smiled. He was the country’s first ever Professor of diversity, decades before it was ever ‘a thing’. He freely recognised he was privileged: a middle class Oxford educated white male, but devoted his life to the pursuit of equality for others. As the photos projected on the screen by the altar showed, he was a passionate nature lover, always out hiking in the great outdoors.
He had no major risk factors for heart disease, but suffered a cardiac arrest out of the blue just before Christmas whilst visiting his daughter in Canada. Despite prompt cardio-pulmonary resuscitation from his wife (a retired GP) and son-in-law (a hospital consultant), sadly he could not be saved. I say no risk factors, he did have one – his own father died in precisely the same way, at precisely the same age of 75.
I commonly see patients who come for a consultation because of the exact same concerns – a family history which worries them. I really enjoy these meetings, as I love to meet people who have taken it upon themselves to get an assessment of their own risk, and see what they can modify to reduce it. By becoming a Coastal Cardiology member, I expect you are in that camp.
As I was sat in the pew looking at the photos, I reflected that there are some things I need to do regarding my own risk. I had my blood pressure checked a few weeks ago, and it was 140 / 85. That is far too high. However, I did it in the middle of a busy clinic as I wasn’t sure if the BP cuff was working properly so thought I would check my own. I had not long had a coffee, a rushed lunch, and I only checked it once rather than twice or 3 times. Talk about not listening to my own advice on how to take blood pressure! I have now researched BP machines, and ordered one. I will take it at the correct time and in the correct way. Although I do loads of exercise, eat well etc etc, I have a family history of high blood pressure, and need to make sure I’m not missing anything. I will get treated if it’s as high as the reading in clinic! If you haven’t already done so, check out the blood pressure article I wrote in the member’s area.
I have also had my genetic risk of a number of conditions checked, and found I am at a higher risk of type 2 diabetes. I would be blissfully unaware if I had this, and was last checked over a year ago. It’s time to get checked again. If you are interested in getting your own genetic risk of diabetes and a whole host of other conditions assessed (plus your biological age!) click here for more information and you can order a kit on my website. It’s super easy – a saliva sample is all that is needed and we will post a kit to your home.
I have recently had my Apo B and lipoprotein (a) levels checked, and was reassured by the results so I don’t need that again until next year. If you’ve not had yours done, or not heard of it, check out my cholesterol video in the member’s area.
My last reflection, again whilst sitting in the pew, was that life is short, and can be taken from us at any moment. Live life to the full, as Mark did, cultivate the special relationships in your life, be of service to others, and you can’t go far wrong.