The Link Between Family History and Cardiovascular Health

Genetics are powerful. They influence everything from your eye color to your face shape to your likelihood of developing certain health conditions—cardiovascular disease included. 

Is Everything Determined By Genetics?

When it comes to heart health, your genetics may play a role in the development of conditions including heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and stroke.

Additional factors, such as the environment in which you were raised, can also influence your risk for heart-related conditions. For instance, if you grew up in a home where fast food was often on the menu, exercise was not a habit and smoking was common, you are more likely to continue those behaviors during adulthood. All of these behaviors increase your risk of cardiovascular complications. 

How to Beat the Odds

Knowing the specifics of your family’s cardiovascular health history is a powerful first step to taking control and being your own health care advocate. The easiest place to begin is by talking with your first-degree relatives, which are likely the people you see and communicate with most often. Have candid conversations with parents and siblings about their heart health and any challenges they have experienced. 

Continue your investigation by researching the health histories of other relatives, such as grandparents, aunts and uncles. Once you have an informative snapshot of your family’s cardiovascular health trends, communicate those findings with your health care provider. Together, you’ll be able to design a wellness plan to enhance your cardiovascular health and reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke. 

Depending on your family history and personal medical history, your wellness plan may include medications. For example, you may need medication to lower your cholesterol. You may also need anticoagulants, which thin the blood and reduce the likelihood of stroke-inducing blood clots. 

Your treatment plan may also include the following lifestyle habits to improve your heart health and overall wellness:

• Choose nutrient-dense foods that are also low in sodium, cholesterol and saturated fat. 
• Exercise for at least 150 minutes per week to lower blood pressure and cholesterol and manage weight.
• If you smoke, take steps to quit. 
• Limit alcohol intake. Set a goal to not exceed one drink per day if you are a woman and two drinks per day if you are a man. 
• Minimize stress with heart-healthy habits, such as exercise or meditation. 

With focus and determination, you can make your personal legacy a healthier one. It’s never too early or too late to work on your cardiovascular health. Cardiovascular problems can occur at any age.