How Family History Can Increase Your Risk of Heart Disease

If you have a family history of heart disease, you have an increased risk of developing the disease as well. However, by taking steps such as exercising and choosing healthy foods, you can change your lifestyle and lower your risk of heart problems. Doctors may ask about your family history of heart disease to better diagnose your condition. Genetics play an important role in how diseases and health issues can be passed down through families.

Once your doctor knows your family history, they can make a more informed decision about any heart-related conditions you may have. One of the ways to determine how well your heart works is with cardiac stress testing. A stress test lets professionals see how much blood your heart pumps when it’s under stress. This typically involves patients walking on a treadmill and moving faster at certain intervals to determine how much stress can be placed on your heart before you must stop exercising.

Family History

A family history of high blood pressure is twice as common in the hypertensive population. Hypertension and hyperlipidemia are strong risk factors in predicting the development of coronary disease in family members. Inherited cardiovascular diseases may only involve the cardiovascular system. Regarding family history, conditions may be genetically determined in some individuals but not in others.

Additionally, doctors may recognize genetic diseases associated with abnormal electrocardiograms or arrhythmias that affect the vascular system. Doctors can determine the cause of specific factors based on family history and information the patient provides.

Signs of Heart Disease

According to the National Library of Medicine, family history of cardiovascular disease can be presented in a variety of ways. For instance, family members with known heart or vascular disease can impact you genetically. Family members suffering from the following may experience an increased risk of heart disease:

• Heart failure
• High cholesterol levels
• High fat levels
• High blood pressure
• Diabetes
• Aneurysm
• Heart attack
• Stroke
• Coronary thrombosis
• Irregular or racing heart
• High blood sugar
• Congenital disabilities affecting the heart
• Smoking

If you experience symptoms related to heart conditions, talk with your family members to learn whether they have any cardiovascular issues. Understanding your family members’ conditions can help you and your doctor better understand your health issue.

Ways to Prevent Heart Disease

There are a variety of ways for you to lower your risk of developing heart disease, even if you have a strong family history of cardiovascular conditions. Some of the ways to lower your risk of heart disease include:

• Choose healthy food options such as fresh fruits and vegetables
• Exercise regularly
• Receive quality sleep
• Refrain from smoking
• Limit alcohol intake
• Monitor your health by checking your blood pressure and cholesterol levels
• Take medications as prescribed by your doctor
• Eat foods high in fiber and low in saturated fats
• Manage stress
• Receive regular health screening tests
• Prevent infections by staying up-to-date with vaccines

A healthy lifestyle can help keep your blood sugar, cholesterol, and blood pressure levels normal. A healthy lifestyle can also lower your risk for heart disease and heart attack.

Find Treatment Today

If you have a family history of heart disease, speak with a cardiologist at Apex Cardiology to learn about your treatment options. If you want to prepare for potential heart issues due to your family history, consider taking proactive steps by getting routine heart check-ups. Doctors can run numerous tests to assess your heart health.

Consider Los Angeles Cardiologists if you are experiencing chest pain or heart-related problems. Our doctors have extensive experience caring for patients. Schedule a consultation today and learn more.