Know your risk: Family history and heart disease
A family history of heart disease could mean you are at greater risk.
Key takeaways
- If a member of your family has heart disease, you have a family history of heart disease
- A family history of heart disease can increase your chances of developing a heart condition
- Even if you have a family history, you can help lower your chances of developing heart disease by speaking to a doctor and adopting a healthy lifestyle
What is a family history of heart disease?
Generally, if you have a family history of a heart condition, you may have a higher risk of developing a heart condition.
What's the difference between family history and inherited conditions?
- Heart muscle diseases
- Life-threatening heart rhythms
- Very high cholesterol levels.
How do you know if you have a family history of heart disease?
- Identify which member of your family had or has heart disease
- Their age when they were first diagnosed.
How does a family history of heart disease increase your risk?
| Inherited genes | You could’ve inherited genes that cause heart disease. While there’s no single gene that causes heart disease, several genes can work together to increase your chances of developing it. Certain genes can pass on risk factors such as high blood pressure or high cholesterol. |
| Shared environments | Shared environments can also be passed on to you from the previous generation in your family. You may have developed certain eating habits or lifestyle behaviours, such as preferences for certain types of food or a sedentary lifestyle. |
What can you do about it?
You may not be able to change your family history or genetics, but you can make positive changes to your lifestyle to lower your risk. Adopting the following healthy lifestyle habits can help lower your chances of developing heart disease:
- Be smoke free
- Do regular exercise
- Eat a heart healthy diet
- Maintain a healthy body weight
- Lower your alcohol intake
- Look after your mental health
- Manage high blood pressure and cholesterol
- Manage diabetes.
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