So recently you just went to a top heart surgeon in Delhi complaining of chest pain and shortness of breath. The doctor said, “Does heart disease run in your family?”
To which you responded, “Doc, no one runs in my family!”
One might have a nice laugh about that one. However, it is true that your family history is a regular question that the doctors will ask you throughout your life. Your medical care specialist will always want to know if any of your ancestors or siblings have suffered from heart disease.
You may be asking why there is so much interest. “Yes, heart disease runs in my family,” you might respond. In this article we will discuss what having a heart disease family history means for you today.
To make this post enriching the insights are taken from the top heart surgeon in Delhi, Dr. Sujay Shad at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital.
What Exactly is a Family History?
A family history is a chronicle of health issues that have affected your family members. This indicates that if you have a blood relative who has an illness, you may be more likely to have it as well. If you had a relative who had a condition but died, this will be documented as part of your family history as well.
What’s the Difference Between Family History and Inherited Disease? – Top Heart Surgeon In Delhi
Hereditary Conditions:
Mutations in genes cause inherited illnesses. We inherit genes from our parents.
- Our DNA defines our appearance, function, and unique traits. Genes from one or both parents can pass on high-risk diseases.
- The most common hereditary disorders include cardiomyopathies, channelopathies, and familial hypercholesterolaemia.
A Family History:
A family history of a disorder is caused by genes and family practices. This combo is risky.
- You may not inherit the disease-causing gene despite having the same genes.
- The same lifestyle and environment as your family can increase your risk of contracting the same illness.
What Does Having a Family History for Heart Disease Indicates? -Top Heart Surgeon In Delhi
Here’s what having a heart disease family history means for you today.
- It Implies that You are Predisposed to Certain Heart Diseases.
Don’t make any assumptions here. Simply because your mother, father, sibling, grandmother, or grandpa had a cardiac episode or a cardiovascular issue does not ensure you will inherit heart disease. It just indicates you are more likely to have a similar prognosis.
According to the National Institutes of Health, those who inherit heart disease from a family member have a 50/50 risk of developing the ailment themselves.
- It Implies You Should Be Aware of Exactly What Your Family Members Went Through And When.
Start by learning everything you can about any cardiovascular issues any of your close family members have experienced. Pose questions such as
- Did heart illness develop in people who were otherwise healthy?
- When did the condition first appear? Was it earlier in one’s life?
- How were the ailments treated? Did the therapy have any effect? How long did the person live after discovering they had heart disease?
- What was the person’s way of life like? Did they smoke or drink too much? Do you routinely overindulge in rich foods?
- Were regular doctor’s appointments a part of your family’s lives?
The most widespread cardiovascular illnesses In order of prevalence, cardiovascular diseases include ischemic heart disease (heart attack), cerebrovascular disease (stroke), hypertension (high blood pressure), inflammatory heart disease, and rheumatic heart disease.
Only heart attacks impact 12.7% of the global population. As a result, you’re probably related to someone who has heart disease of some kind. The more information you have about each cardiac problem in your family, the more prepared you will be to work with your medical care professionals.
- It Indicates That You Should Consult With Your Primary Care Provider.
After learning everything you can about your family’s history of heart disease, the next step is to inform your doctor. They’ll ask further clarifying questions, such as what kind of heart illness your family members have had. The options are limitless. They could have encountered:
- Coronary artery disease (CAD)
- Myocardial infarction (MI) is the type of heart attack.
- High cholesterol levels
- Angina pectoris (chest pain)
- Arrhythmias
- Cardiomyopathy
- Heart abnormalities that occur during birth
- Heart failure… or other cardiac disorders such as aneurysm, stroke, hypertension, and others.
Lifestyle Modifications To Minimize the Risk – Top Heart Surgeon In Delhi
The American Heart Association recommends seven lifestyle modifications to minimize the risk of getting heart disease, regardless of genetic predisposition.
1. Take Control of Your Blood Pressure
Purchase an at-home blood pressure monitor and take regular readings. Keep track of your results and look for trends. Reduce your salt intake, increase your vegetable consumption, move your body, get more sleep, and manage your stress if your levels begin to rise.
2. Control Your Cholesterol
Don’t let this natural material grow in your arteries, producing harmful plaque accumulation. If your doctor discovers it is higher than normal, change your diet and walk more to balance your numbers and prevent future cardiovascular problems. Also, if your doctor recommends medication, make sure to stick to the dosing schedule.
3. Reduce Your Blood Sugar Levels
High blood sugar levels on a regular basis tax your body’s ability to naturally manage glucose levels. This can eventually develop to insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Maintaining a healthy weight and eating a low-sugar diet will help you keep your blood sugar in balance.
4. Move Around More
Yes, physical activity has a direct impact on your cardiovascular health. Aim for 75 minutes of strong aerobic activity or 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity per week.
5. Enhance Your Diet
Replace salty snacks with fresh fruits and vegetables. Substitute lean chicken and fish for fatty red meats. Consider substituting olive oil, coconut oil, or avocado oil for hydrogenated oils and butter.
6. Reduce Your Weight
Even if you have a family history of cardiovascular disease, maintaining a healthy weight is one of the best ways to affect your chances of preventing heart disease. According to research, even a 5-10% weight loss can considerably reduce your risk of heart disease.
7. Stop Smoking
Tobacco use has long been linked to heart disease. So, you should stop smoking.
Conclusion
Finally, always be prepared. Have an established relationship with a doctor who is familiar with your family history, lifestyle choices, and current health condition. This way, you’ll always have an expert on your side to answer concerns, assist you minimize your risk, and, if necessary, assist you in an emergency.
If you are contemplating that you might be suspected of any heart problems then you should seek medical assistance from a heart specialist. You can consult the best cardiac surgeon in Delhi, Dr. Sujay Shad at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, a leading heart hospital. The expert surgeon chooses which course of action is best for each individual. The optimal treatment approach would depend on a person’s age, other medical disorders like diabetes, kidney disease, aortic calcification, past medical history, etc. The heart specialist performs varied heart surgeries like coronary bypass surgery, heart valve surgery, aortic surgery, heart transplant, and many more.
