Poll -- Did Your Parents Smoke?

[Susan BAV]

We've all wondered WHY we have developed or WHY we were born with our own particular heart weakness or abnormality:

1)Some here had their valves damaged decades ago by radiation cancer treatments;
2)Some here had their valves damaged by infections;
3)Some here were born with defective valves;
4)Some here aren't sure what happened.

There are several different reasons we have had our valves repaired or replaced. There may be as many different causes for the development of valve defects.

But I was wondering how many Valvers' parents smoked, perhaps when they were conceived and in the womb? No blame here. Just curious. Perhaps there have been studies done about this. If not, then perhaps we can all contribute to the beginning of a study with our personal experience.

Both of my parents, while not fully realizing the far-reaching potential dangers of smoking, smoked cigarettes heavily for years before I was conceived and born and well into my teen years.

What about you?

 

[PathFinder]

smokers

smokers

My parents are both smokers. When I was born, my father was 42 years old "cigarette lover" and my mother was 30. Both of them have began smoking at age over 18. But I don't believe there is any assotiation of Nicottine and genetic error.

 

[sue943]

My father smoked, he died at 51 after his third heart attack.

 

[WayneGM]

My Mom was a "social" smoker before I was born but I am not sure when she stopped. My Dad was a pack-a-day smoker until I was in my teens, once he started to develop his own health problems in his 50s.

The doctors are not sure why I developed my heart valve problem. They suspect I was born with a defect. There was absolutely no hint of any heart problem until about 18 months before my OHS when my GP first noticed an unusually loud heart murmur than wasn't there before. After monitoring 12 months I was already at severe mitral valve regurg so had OHS to repair. They figure whatever the defect, it simply gave way and quickly deteriorated.

I'd be surprised if this is linked to my parents smoking.

 

[Wise]

Both of my parents smoked, but as far as heart valve issues being caused by smoking...I'm don't think that caused it. My doctor however has told me to stay away from second hand smoke.

 

[PathFinder]

smoking

smoking

My father is 67 years old. He smokes already 50. He has never had an illness (and pray to Got he won't). So, I want to have his health, with or without smoking.

 

[mtkayak]

Mother didn't but Father did. He was a heavy smoker, still is. I use to smoke but quit since surgery. I was born with my defect. My Mom never took any medication, drank or smoked while pregnant with me. I'm just an odd ball by birth

 

[geebee]

Neither of my parents smoked.

 

[ptoddy]

My mother smoked while she was pregnant with me and i hav a BAV with ascending aorta aneurysm

 

[catwoman]

My parents both smoked. My dad, who will be 78 in 1 month, quit smoking in 1957 or 1958. My mom, who will be 80 in 3 months, quit in December 1977.
Both of my sisters began smoking as teen-agers. Both have children, no known cardiac problems. My sisters quit smoking years ago.

I never smoked; my closest friends have been nonsmokers. I was never interested in smoking (either legal or illegal products ).

 

[kodi]

Mother was a non-smoker.
Dad smoked mostly a pipe, occasionally cigars and cigarettes. He died at the age of 69 after three heart attacks and as far as I know, never quit the pipe.

 

[marky]

my dad smoked till he died at the age of 61 from Amyloidosis
mom never smoked

 

[KMS]

My mother has never smoked. My father has smoked since his 20's...either cigarettes, a pipe or -- as of the last 15 years -- a cigar.

Kristine

 

[Debster]

My dad smoked like a chimney(2-3 pks of Lucky Strikes a day) and he died at age 50 immediately following bypass surgery. He had his first heart attack at 40. Today Dec 13th he would have been 70...I miss him a lot and sad he did not get to meet my children Deb

 

[tobagotwo]

My father smoked 3+ packs a day (including in the house and in the closed car). My mother didn't smoke.

However, my valve issues go back to a viral infection in my mid-twenties. I didn't have a bicuspid valve.

Best wishes,

 

[Karlynn]

My parents were both smokers, although my Mom didn't smoke during her pregnancies. I have always wondered whether living with 2nd hand smoke didn't play some role in my valve problem. I certainly don't harbor any bad feelings towards my parents for that, but I have been curious.

I have always hated cigarette smoke. I think of all the family trips we took with my parents both smoking in the car. They always said I had a sensitive stomach because I always got car sick on long trips. I know now it was the smoke that made me nauseated.

 

[ruth]

My mom never smoked.

Dad smoked, 'quit' after his first heart attack at 45 which means he hid it from my mom by smoking only in the garage and while at work.

I was born when dad was 51 and mom 46, the last of 5 kids. I think my rheumatic fever going undiagnosed/untreated was more a reflection of the times (the late 60's with 2 brothers in Vietnam), and being the 5'th kid. There was a lot of other things to think about than my sore throat.

Mom & Dad had twin double vein bypass surgeries 6 weeks apart in 1978 which I chalked up to a high calorie, high fat diet that they both shared. I don't think smoking factored into anything for me, for Dad maybe.

 

[Marguerite53]

My mother never smoked. My father smoked a pipe. Now he has dementia/altzheimers and I honestly don't think he remembers about the pipe smoking!! One good thing borne of memory loss!!

Both are still living..83 and almost 87.

Marguerite

 

[dj/utvolsfan]

Neither my mom or dad were smokers.
My mom's mom smoked and drank heavily during her pregnancy with my mother. My mom passed from breast cancer at 62....everyone else healthy as horses on her side. My grandmother at 85 from stubbornness....if you ask me. Never stopped smoking and honestly wasn't really sick until her last year. Amazing.

 

[AlonnolA]

My mom smoked until she realized she was pregnant. Father didn't smoke.
I was diagnosed with bicuspid stenotic aortic valve at birth.