Will my GP give me a heart examination for no good reason

[OrmRenewed]

other than my parents are fretting

Because dad had a problem and some remote great aunt had a similar problem, they are now convinced that I am going to collapse with heart failure when out running miles from anywhere and die alone and in agony

Surely my GP will just laugh at me as I have no symptoms.

You could ask for a general health type MOT. Height, weight, BP, quick listen with a stethoscope thing. Maybe blood test for high cholesterol or diabetes.

Or if you'd feel a bit awkward going to your GP I have an idea Bupa or somesuch private people do the same sort of thing.

Right. Thanks eccentrica. Will still feel like a total hypochondriac I do need an athsma check-up soon - maybe mention it then.

agree with EG.I don't see the GP wouldn't do a few basic checks. FWIW I had to have bloods done recently for kidney function, and the GP randomly stuck on a cholesterol test, and agreed to stick on a thyroid test too because of family history.

I have had echo and heaven knows what else atm, but that's because my bro died v suddenly of aortic valve disease. I'm pretty sure my gp would have poo-pooed the idea of giving me extra (and expensive) tests for any other reason.

If your dad's condition is such that it warrants his progeny being checked out then talk to your gp about it. He can only say yay or nay, after all.

And if your parents are seriously worried, could they get you done privately?

They have just given up their private health insurance and couldn't afford it. I think I might just see what GP says and then lie

Bummer. Don't they always drop the thing you want just before you want it

Good luck.

Doesn't it depend on how specific the problem is? If it's something specific the GP will have a good idea if there is any family tendency and be more inclined to check you out.

Go and see your GP and explain your family history
Any GP worth his/her salt will take history and examine you and do some baseline tests and then take things from there
They won't laugh at you, they will take you seriously.
It sounds a very reasonable consultation

Thank you everyone.

Dad had a bypass and a valve replacement in Nov. But considering he was 78 and the main cause of the damage was pneumonia in his teens, I don't think there is much of a genetic risk.

But I will go.

BTW Jux - meant to say how sorry I am about your brother. What a shock