Is heart disease hereditary?

This is an automatically translated article.

The article is professionally consulted by Cardiologist - Department of Examination & Internal Medicine - Vinmec Phu Quoc International General Hospital.
Genetic factors and cardiovascular disease are related. However, there are other factors that will help us reduce the risk of the disease, even if the patient already has a family history.

1. Risk factors for heart disease

Risk factors for cardiovascular disease are factors that increase the likelihood of developing cardiovascular disease. When a person carries one or more risk factors, there is an increased chance of that person getting the disease.
1.1 Factors that cannot be changed Gender: Men are generally at higher risk of cardiovascular disease than women and have heart disease at a young age. But by menopause, the rate of cardiovascular disease is about the same in both men and women. Elderly: In the elderly, due to natural aging and because the heart has been working for a long time, it is weakened, the heart wall is thicker, the arteries are atherosclerotic, so the ability of the heart to contract is reduced. Thus, with age, the risk of cardiovascular disease increases. According to statistics, more than 40% of people die from stroke at the age of 65 or older. Genetics: People with a family history of heart attack or stroke before the age of 55 (men) and 65 (women) will have have a higher risk of heart disease than others. 1.2 Changeable Factors Includes factors that form through our growth and development. Altering and correcting these risk factors reduces the risk of inherited cardiovascular disease.
Long-term stressful living environment, easy to raise blood pressure High cholesterol in the blood easily leads to blood fat disorders Laziness in physical activity and sports Overweight, obesity Unbalanced diet: low in nutrients fibrous, high in fat and cholesterol Having diabetes can easily lead to complications such as cardiovascular disease Drinking a lot of alcohol, tobacco

2. Genetic factors and cardiovascular disease

First of all, it is important to realize that most cardiovascular diseases occur mainly due to our unhealthy lifestyles, with only a very small percentage being due to genetic factors.
However, for some diseases such as dilated cardiomyopathy, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, coronary artery disease, Brugada syndrome, high blood pressure, arrhythmia... it can be familial. Specifically, if in the family there are parents or grandparents with these diseases, children and siblings will be likely to inherit the disease gene and have a 3 times higher risk of having the disease than other people. However, we can still reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases by screening ourselves and our family members early and proactively making positive changes to risk factors. .

3. How to prevent cardiovascular disease?

Keeping a healthy and scientific lifestyle Experts recommend that people with a family history of heart disease should maintain an active, healthy lifestyle, and eat a properly balanced diet.
Specifically:
Should eat whole grains, vegetables, fruits containing many vitamins, fiber, trace minerals (banana, oranges, tangerines, cantaloupe), soybeans, green tea, mushrooms , fish ... and always pay attention to control fat, calorie content, cholesterol in each serving. Avoid eating certain foods that can make the condition worse, such as: Processed foods, fast foods, fried foods, carbonated drinks, and stimulants. And if possible cut down on most of the salt and sugar you consume each day. Besides diet, regular exercise is also very important to prevent cardiovascular diseases. You can choose an appropriate sport that suits your interests and abilities such as walking, yoga, swimming, table tennis, badminton...
The more you maintain a healthy and scientific lifestyle, the more you will enjoy. significantly lower your risk of cardiovascular disease, regardless of whether you have a genetic inheritance of cardiovascular disease.
Relax and avoid excessive stress For people with genetic cardiovascular disease should calm down, maintain an active, healthy lifestyle. From there, it is necessary to know how to prevent cardiovascular diseases as well as diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure. The probability of cardiovascular disease of the next generation is about 40-60%, so it is possible to expect a normal life of people with a family history of cardiovascular disease. Calmness and optimism are always the most important factors in disease prevention and treatment, especially cardiovascular disease.
Periodic health check and screening test at Vinmec Hospital Cardiovascular disease is one of the dangerous diseases, which needs to be proactively treated and prevented early. Therefore, when you feel that your body has abnormal signs or know a family history of someone with the disease, you should visit your doctor as soon as possible for early detection, timely treatment, and limiting dangerous complications. .
Currently, there are many leading hospitals specializing in cardiology that are trusted by many people. In which, the most notable is the Cardiovascular Center - Vinmec International General Hospital.
This is one of the leading prestigious cardiovascular disease screening and treatment addresses in the country. With a system of clinics built according to international standards, a system of modern equipment and facilities. When you visit the Cardiology Center - Vinmec International General Hospital, you can rest assured because of a team of experts including experienced professors, doctors, specialists 2, and masters. in the field of treatment and diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases from basic to complex.

Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.

Reference article source: Vietnam Cardiology Association