Guest column: Know your roots, for your health's sake

In a recent conversation with my mother, I shared from my memory of “Pop” (my grandfather). I recalled assisting my grandmother with his medication administration at age 10 or 11. It was this assistance that led to my grandmother sharing with me at age 16, “Sharon, when you go to college, you should take up nursing.”

My assisting with the medication administration was nothing more than making sure Pop took his medication after I got home from school each afternoon. My grandmother had pre-poured the pills in a small cup on a tray and had poured a glass of water covered in a clear plastic wrap. 

I recall when Pop was admitted to St. Joseph’s hospital in the early 1970s. My grandmother was in the room with him. My brother and I were not allowed to go inside the hospital due to his illness. My mom walked us around the back of the hospital and my grandmother led him to the window that he could wave to us.

Little did I know that Pop would not return home.

My oldest daughter was home for this past Thanksgiving and shared how she participated in Ancestry.com. She had received many documents but one was my grandfather’s (Pop's) death certificate. Pop died of congestive heart failure at age 62. 

Pop had congestive heart failure? Pop died at age 62? I was familiar with his sisters having diabetes. I knew he had glaucoma, but this is the first I'd heard of congestive heart failure. 

Mommy added to the conversation, “Yes, that is what he had.” Wha-a-at? I had no idea, but this news was not new to my mother.

It is so important for us to know our family medical history as best we can. Once known, share the information with the adult children. I recall completing the many medical histories over the years and am asked for information regarding family history. I have never marked Yes under “family history of heart failure.”

Knowing this information does not mean I have congestive heart failure, but it at least makes me aware of the medical history of my foreparents. With this knowledge, perhaps we would have placed more emphasis on cardiac health sooner.

I have intentionally placed more emphasis on cardiac health simply because of the statistic that 1 out of 4 African-American women have some type of cardiac disease and are unaware until there is chest pain or elevated blood pressure or stroke, etc.

For most of my nursing career, I have had a special interest in the inner workings of the heart muscle. I choose not to be a statistic. I tend to agree with the statement, “When you know better, you do better.” Though my blood pressures are great and my cholesterol levels are good, I want to know if there is a significant heart attack risk. 

Several years ago, my doctor ordered a stress test and a homocysteine level at my request. The results were great for both. I felt better knowing I was on the right track.

It doesn’t end there, however. Be aware of your body everyday. You are usually the first to know when something is simply not right. As the New Year continues, ask questions about your family health history to include mental health. What did they die of? How old were they when they died? What are they living with? What type of work did they do?

Once you find out, share it with your siblings, adult children and other family. Then “Know your numbers” to determine where you are healthwise using this knowledge.

It is important to also be aware of alcoholism in the family as well. Don’t hide it, share it.

In 2018, let’s strongly consider a focus on family. Family can be parents, grandparents, siblings, extended members — you decide. You can define family as you desire, but let’s decide “each one, reach one and teach one."

Let us be intentional in caring for ourselves. Also, let’s be intentional in genuinely caring about those who are near and dear to us.

Here’s to you in 2018.

This is the opinion of Sharon West, a registered nurse in Asheville. Contact her at sharonkellywest@gmail.com.