Genetic Predisposition

Cardiovascular disease, another name for heart disease, is one of the leading causes of mortality in nearly all countries of the world. Risks for developing this disease include gender, age, tobacco use, blood pressure, cholesterol levels, weight, and family history. There are many tests that physicians, and other health professionals alike, utilize to screen for certain genetic susceptibility. At this point in time, most of these tests are aimed at screening for single-gene disorders of the heart, with most aiming towards detection of familial hypercholesterolemia (L. Claassen et. al, 2012). It is known that individuals with a genetic predisposition, or familial history, have a higher risk of developing CVD and heart disease, a less healthy lifestyle, and believe that medications are more beneficial than modifying their lifestyle factors (L. Claassen et al, 2012). It is important to take this information into consideration when one has parents, grandparents, etc. with a history of heart disease.

A study done in Greece looked at the correlation between heart disease and a genetic risk score. The researchers looked at genotypes of 494 cases of CVD. Of those cases, the genetic risk score (GRS) was 1.74 times higher than those with no genetic risk factors for developing heart disease. This research is important to note before getting into details involved in the health history at the doctor’s office. To understand what one’s primary care doctor is saying regarding their risk of developing heart disease, he/she must first comprehend that if they have a familial history, they are automatically more at risk (at least 1.74 times higher) than those who do not have a family history of CVD (N. Yiannakouris et. al, 2012).

First, when having one-on-one visits with your health care provider, it is important to notify your primary care physician that you have a history of heart disease in your family. Questions such as, “Did your grandfather have a stroke?” or “Did your father have a heart attack?” may be brought up. Although these may seem odd, it is important that these questions be answered thoroughly and accurately, because questions like these are important in determining one’s risk for developing heart disease. Even if you do not know your grandfather or grandmother’s history, you can begin with your immediate family—father and mother, brothers and sisters. It is also helpful to know his/her ages if or when they developed this disease.

Next, patients are going to frequently ask, “What can I do about it if my family has a history of heart disease?” It is important to note that we, as humans, cannot change our genes. Patients with heart disease, or those who have a genetic history of heart disease,  just have to work around their genes and try to modify our risk factors as much as possible. Modifying one’s diet, exercising, and avoiding tobacco are all great ways to change one’s environment.

            Also, there are many other genetic factors involved with heart disease to be aware of. For example, if a patient is of African-American descent, he/she is automatically at a higher risk. There is genetic history for African-Americans to have higher blood pressure, a higher rate of diabetes, and higher risk for stroke. It is also shown that Hispanics have higher blood pressure and cholesterol levels. If patients are of this decent, it is imminent that modifiable risk factors (smoking, exercise, diet) are kept under control at an early age in order to decrease their chances of developing heart disease (“Family History and Heart Disease,” 2015).

            Conclusively, it was found that having a family history of CVD, or heart disease, is an important risk factor in developing heart disease. By modifying certain risk factors, such as not smoking, avoiding alcohol, exercising, and having a proper diet, patients can “work around” their genes to try to make their risk for developing the disease decrease.            

Here is a YouTube link that explains the genetic effect on heart disease and proves that, even when you have a genetic risk, there are still important modifiable risk factors that can decrease your risk of developing heart disease: