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| Image credit: Lauren Lion via Flickr.com |
Yes, I’m brilliant in some way and I got it mostly from my mom, I think. But then, it’s not just the brains that I got from her. There’s more …
In my mom’s family, I know that her two brothers died because of a heart attack. My mother also died just three years ago because of complications of a heart problem. It seems like there’s a pattern within a family with regards to dying that is due to a disease. Now, I’m being more careful of my heart health, because this thing called family history is somehow making me more vulnerable to having a heart disease.
Two important factors contribute to a person’s risk of having cardiac problems — family history and lifestyle. Both should not be overlooked if one wishes to have a healthy heart.
First off, how does genetics affect heart health? Well, the DNA which you inherit from your father and mother sets the blueprint for your body. Although it is unusual for a gene to actually bring about heart disease directly, it could make you more vunerable to it. This is especially the case for those who live an unhealthy lifestyle.
For instance, if one or both of your father and mother have cardiovascular disease and you are a cigarette smoker, you will be more vulnerable to have heart issues because of your tobacco use. On the other hand, in case you have no family history of cardiovascular disease, cigarette smoking might not affect you so badly.
Family history is not an exact science in relation to anticipating health issues. Nevertheless, it is a relatively decent predictor and should never be dismissed. This is particularly correct if your parents and grandparents have had heart disease. These folks are the ones who have got the most similar genetic material with you.
So, am I doomed?
Should you have a family history of cardiovascular disease, it does not mean you are hopeless. The good thing is that lots of people overcome their family medical history by following a healthy lifestyle.
The fact is, healthy and balanced lifestyle habits can make a big difference in reducing your risk for cardiovascular illnesses. For instance, staying away from tobacco, reducing alcohol consumption, eating plenty of fruits and veggies, and keeping your blood pressure under control are going to aid in preventing heart disease.
Not having a family history of heart problems does not necessarily mean that you’re totally off the hook. There are various lifestyle factors that are so harmful that even without any genetic predisposition, you put yourself at an increased risk.
Therefore, it is very crucial to keep healthy habits even though you do not have anybody in your family and relatives who are afflicted with heart disease. With the link between family history and cardiovascular disease, it is important that you carry out everything you can to know about your family medical background.
That is true not only for heart disease, but for other ailments like cancer and diabetes as well. Talk to your living kin – as many as you can – with regards to your family’s record of ailments. This may be a key to averting or preparing yourself for the medical issues you might have in the future.
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