Back in TN on the bike, possible genetic related heart issues

 Was harder today with the extra weight I've gained.  Warm, in the 80ºs but not hot.  A pretty hard effort with a high HR.

Roark's cove bike climb 

23:05 min

Avg HR - 173

Max HR - 189

HR over 170 - 17:14

Avg speed - 6.10 mph 

Second highest max HR I've recorded.  It felt ok.  I had pushed hard early and hit 170 before the big hill and started the steep at 163.  I hit 180 with 250m to go.  So it was a solid effort.  

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Heart health and family history are a cause for concern.  I have a history of high LDL and so does my family.  I have never had any heart issues to my knowledge, chest pain, or shortness of breath.

Both my parents have been treated with statins and BP medication for many years.  Both have cardiac stents.  Neither has had a bypass and both seem ok at age 82 and 84.

My brother was recently diagnosed with a rare spinal stroke, (originally misdiagnosed with demyelinating disease), resulting in MS type symptoms.   According to specialists, this is a clear cardiac related issue.   Having the same genes as my brother, it's certainly a cause for concern.  He was hospitalized with chest pain last night and BP fluctuating to high levels.    Hard to know what the exact cause of such problems are, but genetics certainly play a role.  Also, lifestyle, I have to think, is also a factor.  My brother, like the rest of my family, is not a 'label reader' when it comes to food, and is almost totally without conscience or education in regard to eating, and clearly has dad's 'sense of entitlement' when it comes to food.   Despite my occasional binges, I always snap back before I become overweight.  My brother has been into the overweight BMI range, weighing as much as in the 190s at 5'9", but often fluctuating widely.  Even 175 lbs for a 5'9" person is BMI overweight, which I think has been the low end of his weight range.   My dad has held an obese level of BMI for most of the past 2 decades although recently graduated to merely 'overweight' (below 209 lbs.).  I've never been BMI overweight, except for a few brief periods 20 yrs ago where I once reached 160.  

The thing with my brother is that he hasn't had even the first frontline image test on his heart, a coronary calcium scan.  My dad has, and it was astonishingly bad.  I can't remember the score but I'm sure it was over 1000, and that was 10+ yrs ago.  The fact is, you can have plaque, but if it's not in the wrong place, you can live with it.  Just like you can have high LDL, but if it doesn't 'stick', then you're ok.  

My genome test said I have a very high susceptibility to high Apolipoprotein B level  - which is related to high LDL.  However, the Genome test has been a bit underwhelming, delivering conflicting results, etc...  But I take this as a warning, nevertheless: 

LDL cholesterol, the “bad” cholesterol, relies on transport by apolipoprotein B (apoB). As a result of this connection, elevated levels of apolipoprotein B are linked to elevated LDL cholesterol and an increased risk of coronary heart disease.

I just don't know how lifestyle factors are going to help or hurt.  I do remember times at dinner when I looked at what my brother was eating with a bit of disdain, and he'd alway look at me and smirk, saying, "what's it going to do to me, Bill?"  Maybe these recent health issues with my brother are a manifestation?  Who knows?  He's always been a big meat, carb, and sugar eater, habitually eating large bowls of popcorn with butter before bed.  Maybe there's something to be learned here.  I hope he is ok and perhaps he can improve his longevity with medication and improved lifestyle choices.  Medication has seemed to have served my parents well.  

As for me, so far so good.  No issues.