Is heart disease hereditary?

Overview 

Heart disease is known to be the leading cause of death worldwide. If someone you know or even you has been diagnosed with a heart condition, you may wonder if it is hereditary. This blog post will explore the link between heart disease and genetics and provide advice on reducing the risk of heart disease in yourself and your family. 

What Is Heart Disease?

Heart disease is a general term that encompasses a number of conditions that can affect the heart and its ability to function properly. 

While many lifestyle and environmental factors can contribute to the development of heart disease, there is also evidence that it can be hereditary. It can be inherited from family members and passed down from generation to generation.

What Percentage of Heart Disease is Genetic?

Heart disease is a serious health concern that affects millions of people around the world. Studies have suggested that approximately 20-40% of all cases of heart disease can be attributed to genetic factors. Therefore, knowing one's family health history is essential for taking proactive steps to reduce risk and promote heart health.

Causes of Inherited Heart Disease

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) is the leading cause of heart disease worldwide, and it involves the blood vessels supplying the heart muscles.

The type of heart disease someone is more likely to develop can vary depending on their family history. For instance, if a parent has a history of high cholesterol levels, their child may also have a higher risk of developing high cholesterol levels. Other hereditary heart diseases include:

• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (a thickening of the heart muscle).

• Familial dilated cardiomyopathy

• Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (an abnormal heart rhythm).

• Long QT syndrome (an abnormal electrical activity of the heart).

Signs and Symptoms of Inherited Heart Disease

Common symptoms of inherited heart disease include chest pain, shortness of breath, difficulty exercising, palpitations, dizziness, and fainting. Other potential symptoms may include abnormal heart rhythms, chest tightness, fatigue, and swelling in the ankles, feet, and legs. In rare cases, sudden cardiac death (heart attack) may occur without any noticeable symptoms. When experiencing any of these symptoms while having a heart disease history in the family, it is important to speak to your doctor as soon as possible.

Hereditary Heart Disease Prevention

Suppose there is a family history of heart disease. In that case, one should take extra precautions to reduce risk by eating a healthy diet, regularly exercising, maintaining a healthy weight, and quitting smoking. You should also be careful about high blood pressure and also discuss your family medical history with a doctor so they can be aware of any potential signs or symptoms of heart disease.

It is important to remember that having a family history of heart disease does not necessarily mean they will develop the same condition. However, the key is to be aware of your family's heart disease history and to ensure that you get regular check-ups with your doctor to help detect any potential problems early on.

Diagnosis of Heart Disease

Heart diseases are diagnosed based on family history, physical exam, electrocardiogram (ECG), echocardiogram, and genetic testing.

Genetic testing can help diagnose these conditions and provide important information about cardiac risks and treatments since gene mutation is the cause. While some inherited heart conditions are treatable, we cannot cure them. Therefore, early diagnosis can provide better management and treatment options.

Treatment of Inherited Cardiac Conditions

Treatment is often tailored to the individual and the specific condition and may include lifestyle modifications, such as changing diet and exercise, medications to control symptoms, or even surgery.

If you are concerned about your risk of heart disease, take one of Welzo's at-home blood tests.

Order our PLAC (Lp-PLA2) Test here.

Or, order our Heart Disease Risk Blood Test.