Key steps for reducing a person’s risk of heart disease are often within grasp: eating a healthy diet, exercising, and abstaining from smoking, to name a few. One factor beyond people’s reach, however, can play a pivotal role in heart disease risk.
“When it comes to heart disease, family history could be the most important risk factor to consider,” said Dr. Ameer Kabour, a Cardiologist and Medical Director of ThedaCare Cardiovascular Care. “During American Heart Month, we’re encouraging people in our community to learn about their family history and share it with their health care team.”
A family may be genetically predisposed to certain types of heart disease and conditions, increasing family members’ risk of developing those conditions, Dr. Kabour said.
Gathering Family History
“Note the history of your parents, grandparents, and siblings. Include aunts and uncles,” he said. “Make sure to gather information for both sides of the family. Sharing this information can help your providers understand how heart disease may run in your family, and what recommendations may be best for you.”
Dr. Kabour encouraged people to learn the type of disease, conditions, or procedures relatives have or had, noting how old they were at diagnosis, treatment, or death.
“Keep this information up to date, and let your providers know about any changes,” he said. “It will become a key part of your medical history and could greatly aid your care team as they work with you to help reduce your risk for heart disease. And, remember, it goes both ways. Be sure to also let your family know if you’ve been diagnosed with heart disease or a cardiovascular-related condition. Giving your family that information can help them better understand their own heart health risks.”
Conditions to Note
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers family health history tools and resources and recommends letting health care providers know if close family members have or had any heart-related diseases or conditions, including:
- Angina
- Arrhythmias, such as atrial fibrillation
- Aortic aneurism
- Cardiomyopathy
- Congenital heart defects
- Coronary artery disease or atherosclerosis
- Heart attack, heart bypass surgery, or heart failure
- High blood pressure or high blood cholesterol
- Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator
- Pacemaker
- Percutaneous coronary intervention or coronary angioplasty
Take Charge
The good news is that people can take steps to reduce their heart disease risk, Dr. Kabour said. That includes adopting a healthy lifestyle and treatment of medical conditions that could lead to heart disease.
“Many people who have a family history of early heart attacks also have other risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, or obesity,” Dr. Kabour said. “All of these can be surveilled and managed.”
Follow a healthy lifestyle and reduce the risk of heart disease, conditions, and complications, he said. Here’s how:
Exercise: The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends adults get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity each week, or 75 minutes of vigorous intensity activity. Moderate-intensity activities include brisk walking, dancing, hiking, bicycling under 10 mph, tennis, and gardening. Examples of vigorous activity include running, jumping rope, swimming, and bicycling more than 10 mph.
“It’s also important to be aware of how much time you’re sitting throughout the day,” Dr. Kabour said. “Prolonged sitting increases your risk of death from any cause, including heart disease. Take breaks every hour, and get in some movement. Go for a short walk or try some yoga poses.”
Diet and Lifestyle: Improving nutrition can help protect a person’s heart health, even if with a family history of cardiovascular disease.
The AHA recommends a diet that includes, among other things:
- Minimally processed foods
- Minimized intake of added sugars
- A variety of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and healthy proteins
- Low-fat or fat-free dairy
- Only lean and unprocessed meat and poultry
- Little or no salt
- Non-tropical liquid vegetable oils such as canola, corn, olive, soybean, and sunflower
- Limited or preferably no alcohol
“Of course, if you’re a smoker, the best thing you can do for your heart is to quit now,” Dr. Kabour said. “Smokers have up to four times greater risk of developing heart disease than non-smokers.”
Education and Empowerment: “People with a family history of heart disease, don’t have to live in fear,” Dr. Kabour said. “Instead, allow it to inspire you to make healthy choices for yourself. Knowing and heeding your family history can give you the information you need to start on a healthy path early on. Through making positive choices, you’ll improve your health and peace of mind.”
Dr. Kabour encouraged people to consult with a health care provider and start a heart health conversation to better ensure their long-term cardiovascular health. For more information, visit ThedaCare Cardiovascular Care.
