Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the US, with an individual dying every 33 seconds. This can be a shocking and terrifying statistics for many people, particularly if the disease has proven to be quite common in your family. If you have a family history of heart disease, then it is somewhat out of your control.
However, there are certain practices you can follow to manage this risk. This can be helped along by understanding what it means to have a family history of heart disease and what you can do about it. Here are three things you should do it you are in this position.
Speak to Your Doctor
The first step should be to discuss your family health history with your doctor. You can ask your relatives to provide information on their heart condition, if applicable; this will often include the age at which they experienced a cardiac event or received a diagnosis. Although some deaths in the family might seem unrelated to heart disease, you should let the doctor know if any family members died suddenly.Your doctor might suggest genetic testing, which is available for some forms of hereditary heart disease like arrhythmias and cardiomyopathy. A small sample of blood or saliva is usually taken for these tests to detect the gene mutations that can cause these heart conditions. These tests will be recommended if you are showing symptoms of a heart disease or your family members have the condition.
Some of the most common tests for heart disease can include echocardiograms (ECGs), cardiac MRIs, and complete blood counts. Concierge doctors can even detect heart disease with a coronary artery calcium score, which is a CT scan that measures calcium in the walls of the coronary arteries. The type of test that is chosen will depend on the type of heart problem that is being checked for.
Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle
There are certain things you can do to reduce your risk of developing heart disease, even if it runs in the family. One of the best methods is by eating a heart-healthy diet. You should limit foods that are high in cholesterol, salt, saturated fat, sugar, and trans-fat, as these foods can contribute to heart disease. Instead, you should focus on consuming foods that are better for your heart, such as fish, fruits and vegetables, low-fat dairy, nuts and seeds, and whole grains.Additionally, exercise can be used to lower the risk of inherited heart disease. It is recommended that you get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week; alternatively, you could opt for 75 minutes of high-intensity exercise. This will reduce your risk of a heart attack or stroke, even if you have a family history of these conditions.
Get Regular Check-Ups
After seeing a doctor, you should go for regular check-ups. This is essential as not all inherited heart conditions will show symptoms. Your doctor or cardiologist can carry out routine appointments to help you diagnose and treat heart disease early.They will monitor your weight during these appoints, and they will check your blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, and triglycerides with simple blood tests. This allows you to stay ahead of the condition and manage your numbers before long-term issues can develop.
If you do have a family history of heart disease, this does not mean it is inevitable. You can reduce your risk by maintaining a healthy lifestyle, but you must monitor your health by visiting your doctor regularly.
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