We now offer primary care/accepting new patients!

Skip to main content

How Much Does Family History Contribute to Heart Problems?

How Much Does Family History Contribute to Heart Problems?

Each time you meet with a new doctor, you’re asked to fill out a questionnaire so the physician can glean important information, such as your medical history and family’s medical history. The fact is that family medical history plays no small role in your health, and the reasons aren’t always obvious.

To help explain why family history is so important in terms of your cardiovascular health, Dr. Farhad Aduli and the team here at Louisiana Heart and Vascular focus on this important risk factor in this month’s blog post.

Defining family

When we say family history, we’re typically not referring to a cousin twice removed or a great great uncle. Instead, we’re looking for a closer connection, which means your immediate family, including your parents, siblings, and grandparents.

Why family history is a risk

When you’re told that family history plays a role in your health, you might assume that it has everything to do with genetics. While it’s true that genetics are important — you may be genetically disposed to hypertension or cholesterol issues, for example — genetics aren’t the only concern.

Another way in which family history plays out is in your environment. Perhaps you were raised in a family that ate a good deal of fried foods or didn’t exercise often. These bad habits can spill over into adulthood and set you up for increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

Family history risks by the numbers

To put some numbers to your heightened risk when you have a family history of cardiovascular disease (CVD), consider these numbers:

Another study backs up these findings and concludes that a family history of CVD is a risk factor for developing premature coronary artery disease. Furthermore, it concludes that the risk of developing premature coronary artery disease increases in proportion to the number of family members who have CVD.

What you can do 

The most important step for protecting your cardiovascular health is to come see us for a cardiology consultation, during which we can review your family history for any potential red flags. If we determine that your risks might be heightened because of your family history, we can take steps to offset these risks by guiding you in heart-healthy habits and monitoring your cardiovascular health more closely.

There is much that we can do together to prevent cardiovascular disease from developing, even if the odds are stacked against you because of family history.

If you have more questions about how your family history can affect your cardiovascular health, book an appointment online or over the phone with Louisiana Heart and Vascular today. We’re located in Covington and Franklinton, Louisiana, and we also serve patients from Mandeville, Hammond, and Slidell.

You Might Also Enjoy...

Can Hormone Therapy Stop My Menopausal Symptoms?

Can Hormone Therapy Stop My Menopausal Symptoms?

Each year in the United States, more than one million women enter menopause, leaving them to deal with side effects that range from hot flashes to vaginal dryness and a lot of things in between. Hormone therapy can help.
4 Serious Complications of Diabetes

4 Serious Complications of Diabetes

More than 11% of the population in the United States has diabetes, which is a condition that can lead to some very serious complications. Here, we take a look at four of them, and how you can offset your risks.
3 Important Points About Erectile Dysfunction

3 Important Points About Erectile Dysfunction

Your sex life has taken a hit because of erectile dysfunction, and you’re not sure where to begin to address the problem. Here, we present three important points every man should know about this common condition.
The Dangers of Having High Blood Pressure

The Dangers of Having High Blood Pressure

Evidence has piled up over decades about the dangers of having high blood pressure — and these are serious, and even life-threatening, dangers. Here, we review some of those health threats and how you can avoid them.
What to Expect After Sclerotherapy

What to Expect After Sclerotherapy

Sclerotherapy is one of the most effective ways to banish varicose and spider veins. Whether you’ve already scheduled your treatment with us or you’re just doing your homework, here’s a look at what to expect afterward.
What We Want You to Know About Varicose Veins After 60

What We Want You to Know About Varicose Veins After 60

There are different factors that place you more at risk for developing varicose veins, and your age is certainly a primary one. Read on to learn why age is a factor, what the symptoms can be, and how these veins can be treated.