Have you ever wondered why doctors ask about your family’s medical history? Knowing this information before seeing a cardiologist can help them better assess your health and create a plan that is special to you.
Understanding Hereditary Heart Conditions
When it comes to heart health, your family history plays a BIG role in understanding your health risk.
For example, some heart conditions can run in families. This means if you have a grandparent, parent or sibling who has a heart condition, you might have a higher risk of developing a similar condition.
Four common inherited heart conditions are:
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Heart disease
- Arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats)
While genetics play a role in your risk, lifestyle choices, such as diet and exercise also influence your heart health.
How Family History Impacts Your Heart Health
If someone in your immediate family has dealt with heart disease, this does not mean you will also develop heart disease, but you should take proactive steps in protecting your health.
Having a family history of heart disease can increase your risk for:
- Heart attacks/sudden cardiac arrest at a younger age
- Stroke due to conditions like high blood pressure
- Cardiomyopathy, which affects your hearts ability to pump blood effectively
The more you know about your family’s heart history, the better you can work with your cardiologist.
What to Share with Your Cardiologist
It’s always important to give accurate information when you meet with any medical provider. So before you meet with a cardiologist, it’s best to know the following:
- If any close family members had heart disease, a heart attack or stroke
- At what age was that family member diagnosed
- If your family members had conditions like high blood pressure or high cholesterol
If you are unsure, talk with your relatives about their health history.
How Cardiologists Use Family History
There are a few ways cardiologists use your family history to assess your heart disease risk. They:
- Use risk assessment tools to determine your likelihood of heart disease
- Recommend lifestyle changes or medications
- Suggest early screenings to catch potential problems
The more details you provide to your cardiologist, the better they can create a plan tailored for you.
Preventative Measures Based on Family History
If you have multiple family members who had heart disease, your risk in developing it is higher. There are preventative measures you can take right now to stay healthy.
- Get regular heart screenings
- Eat a heart-healthy diet
- Exercise at least 30 minutes a day
- Manage stress
- Avoid smoking
- Limit alcohol
Making these changes can help reduce your risk, even if heart disease runs in your family.
Genetic Testing Considerations
Talking with your relatives is the most common way to learn their health history. But there are some cases where a cardiologist may suggest genetic testing. This helps identify specific inherited heart diseases that increase your risk.
Genetic testing is not necessary for everyone. Typically, it’s reserved for people who have a high risk of an inherited heart disease, such as:
- Cardiomyopathies
- Thoracic aortic aneurysms and dissections
- Arrhythmic disorders
- Familial hypercholesterolemia
Ultimately, genetic testing can provide more detailed information and help determine the best treatment options for you.
Family History in Personalized Care
Knowing your family’s heart health history is a powerful tool.
If heart disease runs in your family, don’t wait. Start gathering information today so you can keep your heart healthy.
Heart Care Resources at University Health
At University Health, we are taking steps to address community needs within Bexar County. This is why we are excited to offer resources for everyone, whether you receive care from us or not. Visit our Institute for Public Health to find heart health resources.
You can also learn more about the heart care we offer.
