Your sister has high cholesterol and high blood pressure. Your father had a heart attack when he was 50 years old. And now you’re looking at adulthood and the rest of middle age and thinking, Should I be worried?
A family history of heart disease definitely affects your story, says cardiologist Christine Jellis, MD. And that’s something you and your health care provider should consider when determining your risk for heart disease. However, the characters in this story have more than just family history. Many other factors play a big role in keeping your heart healthy.
Dr. Jellis explains how to make the most of your family history and what you can do to prevent heart disease from developing.
What does family history mean?
Your family history is a record of diseases and conditions in your immediate family and relatives. Family history also describes other things that affect your health, such as your lifestyle and behavioral patterns regarding exercise and nutrition, or the environment in which you and your family live.
If a close relative has had an illness or chronic illness, you will want to keep track of these details, as this often increases your risk of developing the same illness. The risk is even higher if more than one family member has the condition or if signs and symptoms begin at a young age. All of this is made possible by specific genetic mutations within our DNA. Therefore, it is important to have family members review medical and death records and discuss the family’s health history early on.
What types of heart disease do I have a genetic risk for?
When it comes to the heart, you should look for a family history of cardiovascular disease or other heart-related problems or conditions that may run in your family. Having this information can be a big step in preventing heart disease in the future. Heart-related problems to look for in your family history include:
This list is long and has not yet been included. all Although it plays a role in genetic risk for heart disease, it’s certainly a good starting point. If you’re concerned about your heart health, once you know your family history, you may want to share that information with your doctor and other health care providers. We will then connect you with a cardiologist who can use your family history, along with other tests, to calculate your risk of developing heart disease and determine your heart health at every stage.
coronary artery disease
When we talk about heart disease, we are most commonly referring to coronary artery disease. It is the most common type of heart disease, killing more than 370,000 people in the United States each year.
Coronary artery disease begins when plaque builds up on the walls of the arteries that supply blood to the heart. When arteries narrow, it becomes difficult for blood to pass through them. This can cause heart attack or stroke.
Because this is a very common disease, it is not unusual for someone in your family to have been diagnosed with coronary artery disease. So there’s no need to panic. But it’s certainly worth noting.
“If you have a parent or sibling with a history of heart disease before age 55 for men and age 65 for women, your risk is higher,” says Dr. Jellis. If this applies to you, we recommend that you see a cardiologist as soon as possible. They have the experience to weigh all the different risk factors and develop a treatment plan to help reduce that risk.
Is there anything I can do to prevent heart disease if I have a family history?
Family history is important, but your parents’ fate is not your own. Genetics is just one checkmark for him on a long list of risk factors. This is good news because many of these factors are within your control.
“You can’t change your family history, but you can take steps to change other factors,” Dr. Jellis reiterates.
These lifestyle changes can help protect your heart.
- Avoid smoking. Dr. Jellis says smoking is one of the worst things you can do for your heart. Smoking in any form is a bad idea. If you are using it, please stop. That means no smoking, chewing tobacco, or vaping. Talk to your doctor about how to quit smoking.
- Limit alcohol. Have you ever heard that red wine is good for your heart? There are some caveats. No matter what beverage you choose, moderation is key. “Moderate” intake means for men no more than 2 drinks per day and for women no more than 1 drink per day. (Be careful with how much you pour, as 5 ounces of wine or 12 ounces of beer counts as one drink.)
- eat well. Dr. Jellis recommends a Mediterranean-style diet that focuses on fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts, and olive oil. He says include some fish and poultry, but limit red meat, dairy products, processed meats, and sweet treats.
- exercise. The heart is the central muscle of the circulatory system, so it needs to flex. You can accelerate this process by increasing your physical activity. Get at least 30 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise five days a week. (Find activities that you enjoy, and it will be much easier to stay occupied.)
- Manage your numbers. High blood pressure and high cholesterol levels both increase your risk of heart attack. Symptoms can be controlled by lifestyle changes and sometimes by taking medications.
- Manage your weight. Yes, it’s easier said than done. But if your family history puts you at risk for a heart attack, that’s a great reason to aim for a healthy weight. Being overweight puts more pressure on your heart to pump life-saving blood throughout your body. Being underweight may also increase your risk of heart disease. Therefore, your focus should always be on doing what you can to make your heart work more efficiently.
conclusion
There’s one last thing you can do. It means not blaming yourself, your parents, or other family members. No one wants to be born with an inherited family history, but knowing what’s at stake at least gives you the tools you need to take action and prevent some of the worst-case scenarios. You can get You and your family will thank you for doing all you can.
