Heart disease risk increased with family history 

One of the major risk factors for cardiovascular disease is a family history, and for Craig Gardner, it has been a determining factor in his health.

Your risk of heart disease is increased if close family members - parents, siblings or children - developed heart disease before age 55 or, in the case of female relatives, before menopause.  

In June 2001 Craig was diagnosed with heart disease. Craig’s mother had a quadruple bypass at the age of 50 and at his grandmother died of heart attack at age 52. So even though he was only 38 years-old, when Craig experienced shortness of breath and chest pain after being on his treadmill for a short time, he quickly sought medical attention.

“The doctor told me that if I hadn’t gotten off the treadmill that day, I would have died,” Craig says. At the hospital the doctors discovered a major blockage in his artery.

Craig was told he would first need angioplasty, and later he would need bypass surgery. 

Prior to his heart attack Craig had decided to improve his health by exercising, so he bought himself a treadmill. After he recovered from the angioplasty, Craig was back on his treadmill and together with his family committed to regaining his health.

“I did it for my family. My children were young at the time, and I wanted to make sure I would see them graduate,” says Craig. “My wife, kids and even our extended family have been a phenomenal support.”

When he went in for a check up six months after his angioplasty, Craig was unrecognizable. He had lost 50 pounds. “I ate smart, exercised, and read a lot of Heart and Stroke Foundation literature, especially Recovery Road,” Craig remembers. An angiogram showed no blockages, so Craig did not have to undergo bypass surgery. 

In 2008 Craig noticed that his daily routine was making him more winded than usual.   He went straight to his doctor and it was discovered that he had more blockages in his heart which required another stent.

What may have seemed like minor symptoms to some physicians was taken very seriously by Craig’s doctor. “Having a family doctor who really knows you is very important,” says Craig.

Although he had been living a healthy life and his cholesterol and blood pressure were at good levels, he was still plagued by heart disease. “It’s because of my family history,” he says. “Even a little bit of cholesterol is hard on my body.”

Craig and his family are dedicated volunteers  with the Heart and Stroke Foundation. Last year Craig and his wife took on ten routes for the Person to Person campaign, and during Big Bike Craig raised over $1000.

Making the decision to adopt a healthier lifestyle has paid off for Craig, “My daughter is set to graduate this spring and I’m going to be there to see it.”