If you have a family history of heart disease, it may mean you are at higher risk.
What is a family history of heart disease?
A family history of a disease means someone in your family has or has had the disease.
In general, if you have a family history of heart disease, you may be at higher risk of developing heart disease.
What is the difference between family history and genetic disease?
Genetic diseases are caused by defects (or mutations) in one or more genes. If one of your parents has the defective gene, you may also inherit it. Common inheritance conditions include:
The family’s history is even more complicated. It may not be just a single defective gene, but a combination of common genes and environments that are passed down from generation to generation that increase the risk of developing the disease.
How do I know if I have a family history of heart disease?
To find out if you have a family history of heart disease, you need to check two things:
- Identify someone in your family who has or has heart disease.
- Age at first diagnosis.
If someone in your immediate family, such as a parent or sibling, has had a heart attack or stroke, or if you were diagnosed with heart disease before age 60, this may indicate a family history of early-onset heart disease. there is. This means you may be more likely than usual to develop the same symptoms.
How does having a family history of heart disease increase your risk?
A family history can increase your risk of developing heart disease in many ways.
| inherited genes | You may have inherited a gene that causes heart disease. There is no single gene that causes heart disease, but multiple genes may work together to increase your chances of developing heart disease. Certain genes can convey risk factors such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol. |
| shared environment | A shared environment can also be inherited from previous generations of a family. You may have developed certain eating habits or lifestyle behaviors, such as a preference for certain types of foods or a sedentary lifestyle. |
What can we do about it?
Tell your doctor if you have a family history of heart disease.a heart health check It is recommended from age 45 (30 for Aboriginal and Torres Strait people), but if you have a family history of heart disease, your doctor may want to assess your risk of developing heart disease earlier. there is.
Although you may not be able to change your family history or genetics, you can make positive lifestyle changes to lower your risk. Adopting the following healthy lifestyle habits can reduce your chances of developing heart disease.
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Let’s quit smoking
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exercise regularly
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eat heart-healthy food
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maintain a healthy weight
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reduce alcohol intake
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take care of your mental health
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Manage high blood pressure and cholesterol
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Manage diabetes.
If you have a family history of heart disease, see your doctor to discuss your risk of developing heart disease.
If you’re over 45, be sure to have regular heart health checkups with your doctor to keep an eye on your heart health and minimize your risk of developing heart disease.
