Do you have parents or siblings who suffer from heart disease or hypertension (high blood pressure)? If yes, then you do have a higher risk of experiencing a similar condition in the future.
Hereditary factors are known to play an important role in the development of heart disease and hypertension, especially if accompanied by an unhealthy lifestyle such as excessive salt consumption, lack of physical activity, and prolonged stress.
“Understanding the relationship between genetic factors and heart disease can help you take early prevention to maintain heart health,” said Dr. Febtusia Puspitasari, Sp.JP, FIHA, FASCC, specialist in Heart & Blood Vessels at Premier Bintaro Hospital.
Doc: Private Genetics
Note. Illustration of a disease that runs in the family. Having a family history of heart disease or hypertension increases your risk. Learn about genetic relationships, types of diseases that are often inherited, as well as preventative steps through a healthy lifestyle and early detection with Dr. Febtusia Puspitasari, Sp.JP.
Genetic Link to Heart Disease
He emphasized that several types of cardiovascular disease have a strong genetic component, meaning they can be passed from parents to children. The risk will increase significantly if close family members such as father, mother or siblings experience heart disease at an early age, namely before 55 years in men or 65 years in women.
Genetic factors can influence various aspects of heart health, including:
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- Blood cholesterol levels (LDL and HDL)
- Blood pressure
- The tendency to form fatty plaques in blood vessels (atherosclerosis)
- Function of the heart and blood vessels
However, hereditary factors are not the only determinant. By adopting a healthy lifestyle, the risk of heart disease can still be reduced significantly.
Types of Heart Disease that are Often Inherited
Some heart diseases that are known to have genetic factors or often run in families include:
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- Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) CHD is caused by the buildup of cholesterol plaque in the blood vessels of the heart, thereby inhibiting blood flow to the heart muscle. A history of heart attacks or angina in family members can increase your risk of experiencing similar conditions.
- Cardiomyopathy (Heart Muscle Disorder) Cardiomyopathy is a disorder of the heart muscle that causes the heart to enlarge, thicken, or become stiff. Certain types, such as Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) and Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM), is genetic and can trigger heart failure or serious heart rhythm disorders.
- Arrhythmias (Heart Rhythm Disorders) Some arrhythmias, such as Long QT Syndrome And Brugada Syndromeis a genetic disorder that affects the heart’s electrical system and can increase the risk of sudden cardiac arrest.
- Familial Hypercholesterolemia This condition is characterized by very high levels of bad cholesterol (LDL) from birth due to genetic abnormalities. Without treatment, sufferers are at risk of developing coronary heart disease at a young age, even before the age of 40.
Relationship between heredity and hypertension
“Apart from heart disease, hypertension is also often passed down in families. Children with one or both parents who have high blood pressure have twice the risk of developing hypertension in the future,” he said.
Genetic factors that play a role in hypertension include:
- The function of the kidneys is to regulate the balance of sodium (salt) and body fluids.
- Stiffness of blood vessels due to congenital factors.
- The body’s response to stress hormones, such as adrenaline and the renin-angiotensin system.
However, environmental factors such as a diet high in salt, obesity, lack of exercise, and chronic stress can aggravate and accelerate the occurrence of hypertension.
Signs and Symptoms to Watch Out for