Is heart disease or stroke in your family? If so, your risk may be higher.

Cardiovascular disease is the #1 cause of death worldwide. So most of us may have a family history of, and some genetic risk for, heart disease.

Did your father have a stroke?
Did your mother have a heart attack?
Did any of your grandparents have any heart disease?

Yes, these are the random questions your cardiologist may ask, and they are very important when it comes to understanding your risk factors for heart diseases. Because knowing your family history can help you avoid heart disease.

So I’ve got family history concerns … what next?

Just because your family has a history of heart diseases, doesn’t mean you will certainly have the same disease. It just means you are more likely to have them.

Diseases are not imminent and your health can be managed by making healthy lifestyle choices. Healthy habits can cut your risk of heart disease in half, even if your genes are stacked against you, according to new research.

“People with the highest genetic risk scores had nearly twice the risk of having a heart attack or a related problem as those with low scores. But people who had three or four of the healthy lifestyle habits cut their risk in half, compared with people who had none or just one of the habits, the researchers found.” [Source: Harvard Health Publishing]

Simplest Healthy Lifestyle Options

Healthy Diet – including more fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts, fish, limited intake of sodium, added sugars and saturated fats.

Regular Exercise – at least once per week. Even a long brisk walking will do the job.

No Smoking – avoid any type of smoking habits, not even the electronic cigarettes. [Know what happens when you quit smoking.]

No Obesity – as defined by body mass index (BMI)

Control your numbers – both high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels increase the risk of a heart attack. You can keep them in check with lifestyle changes and, in some cases, medication.

Ending Note…

We know that both genetic factors/family history and lifestyle choices contribute to the development of heart disease. Further your risk of heart disease can be lowered through a healthy lifestyle changes that only you have the power to change.

Skip blaming your mom or dad (they didn’t ask for this family history, either) and take action instead.
Choose a healthy lifestyle and say #IAmHeartHealthy.