Is Heart Disease Hereditary And How Can It Be Prevented?

 

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in both men and women, but it can be prevented say Cardiologist in Delhi.As with other diseases such as breast cancer, heart health is hereditary. But does this mean that those affected cannot do anything to prevent heart disease? And what about those who don't have a family history of heart disease, can they still suffer from an early-onset heart attack?

Here's the lowdown on heart disease prevention.

 

What causes coronary artery disease or atherosclerosis:-Atherosclerosis is caused by plaque buildup in the arteries that supply blood to your body. This buildup increases your risk for poor circulation, high blood pressure and a heart attack since blood flow down or stops completely. A heart attack occurs when one of the arteries that supply oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle gets blocked. Nutrition plays a role in coronary artery disease, since it can affect cholesterol levels, which are implicated in atherosclerosis according to the Best Cardiologist in Delhi.

 

Do you only inherit bad genes?

No. You also inherit your parents' good habits - what they ate and how much they exercised, for example. Unfortunately these factors don't cancel out genetic risk factors but together with healthy lifestyle choices made by yourself, do help reduce the likelihood of developing arterial plaque buildup and thus lower your risk for atherosclerosis and poor circulation.

 

What is inherited:-Genes influence the size and functioning of the different parts of the heart - such as the valves, muscles and blood vessels. We are all born with a set of genes unique to us which determines our characteristics, including whether we are likely to be obese or have high cholesterol or smoke."

 

The good news is that instead of getting bogged down by bad genes, The Best Cardiologist in Delhi says you should look at your family history as an opportunity to take preventive steps towards staying heart-healthy. "If it's difficult to change your genetic make up then making lifestyle changes can greatly reduce this genetic risk," he adds.

 

How can I prevent heart disease?

Exercise is the key. Cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of mortality in most developed countries, but you can substantially reduce your risk for heart disease with frequent exercise." This established scientific fact has already encouraged millions of people worldwide to get up off their couch and start exercising regularly.

 

Apart from regular workouts, also make sure to eat a diet rich in fresh fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy products like yoghurt. Such foods are packed with essential nutrients that help keep your arteries clear. Avoid saturated fats found in candy bars; instead reach for nuts, seeds and fatty fishes like salmon, sardines or mackerel which are full of omega-3 fatty acids that keep cholesterol at bay. Another effective way to fight heart disease is quitting smoking.

Is heart disease hereditary?

Being overweight, having high cholesterol and high blood pressure are all the risk factors for heart disease according to Cardiologist in Delhi.If you have family members with these conditions then your own risk is increased." And this means that it is not just bad genes - or 'fat' genes for that matter - that put you at greater risk of developing coronary artery disease. These modifiable risk factors can be controlled by making healthy lifestyle choices like exercising regularly, eating the right kind of foods and quitting smoking. It's important to note though that some people do develop arterial plaque buildup due to genetic predisposition which cannot totally be prevented even through exercise and a healthy diet. But while more research is being conducted on this, the good news is that scientists are already developing pharmaceutical interventions to help control inherited genetic disorders.