Do you or a family member have a history of heart disease, high cholesterol, sudden premature death, heart murmurs or heart attack?

• Coronary heart disease is a condition in which plaque builds up inside the coronary arteries.  These arteries supply your heart muscle with oxygen-rich blood. Made up of fat, cholesterol, calcium, and other substances, plaque inhibits the blood flow to the heart and body. If you or a family member have a history of coronary artery disease, you should be by checked by a physician. Coronary Artery Disease can weaken a heart muscle and lead to heart failure or arrhythmias. Heart failure is a condition in which your heart cannot pump enough blood through the body. Arrhythmias are problems with the speed or rhythym of your heartbeat. Both are life-threatening. 
• A heart attack occurs when blood flow to an area of your heart muscle is completely blocked. This prevents oxygen-rich blood from reaching that area of heart and causes the muscles to die. Without quick treatment, a heart attack can lead to serious problems even death.  

• Cardiac arrest due to a genetic disorder under the age of 40. If any of your relatives have suffered from sudden cardiac arrest who are under the age of 40 years old, you have an increased chance of also carrying the defective genes that cause congenital malformations of the heart.

• History of heart murmurs, heart muscle abnormalities, damaged heart or valve. If any of your relatives have a history of heart murmurs there is a possibility your heart muscle has an abnormality or is damaged. These abnormalities could result in overworking your heart.