Family History of Heart Disease: How Much Does It Increase Your Risk?
Family History of Heart Disease: How Much Does It Increase Your Risk? Heart disease does not always happen because of lifestyle alone. Your family history can also influence your risk, especially when a close family member develops heart disease at a younger age. But having a family history of heart disease does not mean that you will definitely develop it. It means you may need to pay closer attention to your heart health and control the risk factors that you can change. What Does “Family History of Heart Disease” Mean? Family history means that certain heart or blood-vessel conditions have occurred among your close relatives, particularly your parents or siblings. A family history becomes more concerning when a close relative develops coronary artery disease or a heart attack at a relatively young age. It is also important to know whether your family has a history of: * Heart attack or coronary artery disease * Stroke * Sudden cardiac death * Very high cholesterol * Cardiomyopathy * ...