Is heart disease common in your family?

My family has been effected very heavily by heart disease and stroke. My father died from heart disease and stroke which were directly related to diabetes. My mother is currently suffering from diabetes, Congestive heart failure, coronary heart disease, kidney failure, and other health problems. I have lost several aunts and uncles as a result of heart disease and diabetes. My parents never had the proper access to health care most of their adult lives due to the inability to afford health insurance. My parents never received adequate care until they were able to qualify for medicare/medicaid insurance. By that time, their health had already suffered many irreversible consequences and complications of diabetes and heart disease. They never had any formal education about diabetes, proper nutrition or how to manage this dreadful disease. They pretty much just hoped for the best and did what they could on a limited income. Myself and several of my siblings have also been diagnosed with diabetes but fortunately for myself and most of my siblings we are better educated and have better access to medical care than was afforded my parents. We have a better understanding of the disease and therefore do a better job of controling our blood sugars, exercising, planning our diets, and get regular visits with our physicians. I am hopeful that we will be able to postpone or even eliminate some, if not all, of the severe complications of this disease and live a long, fairly healthy life!