Understanding family history of heart disease

If you have a family history of heart disease, understanding what it means is essential for assessing your own risk and taking proactive steps to protect your heart health.

Here, Professor Riyaz Patel, renowned consultant cardiologist, delves into what constitutes a family history of heart disease, how it affects heart health, and what are common hereditary heart conditions.

What is a family history of heart disease?

A family history of heart disease refers to the presence of heart-related conditions among blood relatives. These relatives typically include parents, siblings, grandparents, and sometimes aunts, uncles, and cousins. If multiple close relatives have experienced heart disease, it suggests a familial predisposition to cardiovascular conditions.

Why and how does family history influence the risk of heart disease?

Family history influences heart disease risk due to shared genetics, environmental factors, and lifestyle habits within families.

If your close relatives have experienced heart disease, your own risk for developing heart problems may be higher due to inherited genes predisposing you to risk factors like high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, or abnormal heart rhythms.

Additionally, shared lifestyle factors such as poor diet, lack of exercise, and smoking can further increase your risk.

How can I know if I have a family history of heart disease?

Talk to your relatives and gather information about any heart-related conditions they may have had. Keep a record of the types of heart diseases, the age of onset, and any related risk factors like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes.

What are the most common hereditary heart conditions?

The commonest hereditary heart conditions include:

• Coronary artery disease: Narrowing of the arteries supplying blood to the heart muscle.
• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: Thickening of the heart muscle, leading to reduced pumping efficiency.
• Arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia: Replacement of heart muscle with scar tissue, leading to abnormal heart rhythms.
• Familial hypercholesterolaemia: A condition characterised by high levels of LDL cholesterol, which increase the risk of heart disease.
• Congenital heart defects: Structural abnormalities present at birth affecting the heart's chambers, valves, or blood vessels.

How can I reduce my risk if I have a family history of heart disease?

Even with a family history, you can take steps to reduce your overall risk of heart disease by:

• Adopting a healthy lifestyle: Adopting a heart-healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. Quitting smoking and limiting alcohol intake. Including regular exercise into your routine.
• Managing risk factors: Keeping your blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and blood sugar levels within healthy ranges. Taking prescribed medications as directed.
• Maintaining a healthy weight: Trying to maintain a body mass index (BMI) within the normal range for your height and weight.
• Going for regular medical check-ups: Scheduling regular check-ups to monitor your heart health and manage any risk factors.

When should I screen for heart disease if I have a family history of heart disease?

Screening recommendations may vary based on individual risk factors and family history.

However, if you have a family history of heart disease, particularly if it occurred at a young age (before age 55 in men or before age 65 in women) or if multiple relatives are affected, it's essential to discuss early screening.

Screening for heart disease may include blood tests to assess cholesterol levels, blood pressure measurements, and an electrocardiogram (ECG) to evaluate heart rhythm.

If you need personalised advice and guidance regarding family history of heart disease, don’t hesitate to reach out to Professor Riyaz Patel via his Top Doctors profile today.