YOUR RISK FOR HEART DISEASE IS DIRECTLY LINKED TO YOUR FAMILY HISTORY. IF HEART DISEASE RUNS IN YOUR FAMILY BE PREVENTATIVE…IT CAN SAVE YOUR LIFE.
One in five men carries a gene from their father that nearly doubles their risk of coronary heart disease. If you have had a father or a loved one with heart disease, high blood pressure, and/or high cholesterol, awareness and preventative action are essential for your own health, and the health of your family. Heredity is a significant risk factor for heart disease for men and women of all ages; however, these genetic risks are shown earlier in men than in women. Research has found that the onset of heart disease in men develops 10 years before women, on average. When a male under the age of 45 (55 for women) has had a heart attack, it is often a predictor that there is a prevalence of genetic risk, and is likely to be passed on to generations to come. Men under the age of 55 (65 for women) who have suffered from heart disease or stroke are also likely to carry a hereditary risk. While heart disease can be passed down from both sides of the family, it has been hypothesized that the earlier onset for men could be related to a variant of the Y chromosome, with up to one in five men carrying a gene from their father that nearly doubles their risk of coronary heart disease.
In addition to a family history of heart disease, many people do not realize that high blood pressure and high cholesterol are also hereditary risk factors. Whether a family member has suffered from heart disease or not, having a family history of high blood pressure or high cholesterol has been linked to other risk factors for heart disease and sets individuals at a significantly higher risk of eventually developing heart disease in the future.
High Blood Pressure
An individual’s risk of developing high blood pressure is doubled when they have one or more close family members with high blood pressure before the age of 60. Three or more family members with high blood pressure before the age of 60 means that you have a strong family history and increases your risk dramatically.
Since high blood pressure often has no symptoms, it is important to have it checked, especially if ANYONE in your family suffers from high blood pressure. Without proper care and maintenance, it could contribute to several other factors of heart disease.
High Cholesterol
Familial Hypercholesterolaemia is an inherited genetic disorder that is defined by elevated amounts of “bad” cholesterol in the blood. Although high cholesterol is generally caused by poor lifestyle choices, about 1 in 500 people are affected by the altered gene and have a 50% chance of passing it on to their children.
You may be at risk if:
- Your family has a history of high LDL levels (greater than 169mg/dL) and early heart attacks
- You or one of your family members with high LDL show waxy deposits formed under the skin – usually white or yellow pigmented and formed on joints or eyelids
If other members of your family show these signs, it is important to see your physician about undergoing a lipid profile test to check the total amount of cholesterol in your blood.
According to the National Human Genome Research Institute, total cholesterol greater than 300mg/dL and an LDL higher than 250mg/dL are both indicators of hereditary high cholesterol.
Although familial and inherited risks for heart disease cannot be prevented, they can be properly managed to reduce the severity of the risk. If even the most seemingly minor hereditary risk factors are not managed appropriately, they can increase the risk for more severe heart conditions, and ultimately lead to coronary artery disease or cardiovascular disease. If you or your father has suffered from a heart attack under the age of 45, a stroke and/or heart disease under the age of 55, high levels of LDL, and/or high blood pressure below the age of 60, it is incredibly important to have a follow-up assessment to determine your cardiovascular health risk. Additionally, it is important to eliminate all other components that could increase your risk of heart disease even more than it already is.
Take preventative action on the factors you CAN control:
- Maintain a healthy diet
- Avoid sodium, trans fats, sweets, caffeine, and fatty meats
- Avoid packaged/processed foods!
- Increase healthy fats, fiber, omega-3’s and protein, low-fat calcium products
- Eat more colorful vegetables and fruits!
- Quit smoking and eliminate second-hand smoke
- Reduce alcohol intake
- Exercise!
- Monitor cholesterol and blood pressure levels
- Teach healthy habits to your children and loved ones