If you are susceptible to a disease or condition, you will almost always have symptoms that warn you of upcoming problems. But how do you deal with a condition that you inherited and perhaps is growing inside without your knowledge?

For example, you can inherit your risk for heart disease from your parents because you inherit half of your genes from them.

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However, heart disease itself is not directly inherited; a combination of genetic changes and lifestyle choices contribute significantly to its development. So what you actually inherit is an increased chance of developing heart disease, rather than developing it outright.

Therefore, if heart disease runs in your family, it is important to get tested regularly even if you have no visible symptoms.

Heart disease passed from parent to child

Here are some heart conditions to be aware of if you have a family history of heart disease.

Cardiomyopathy: These are diseases of the heart muscle that can cause heart failure. The most common types are:

• Familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM): This disease causes abnormal thickening of the heart muscle, which can impede blood flow and can lead to various complications, including sudden death.
• Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM): In contrast to HCM, DCM causes thinning and weakening of the heart muscle, impairing the heart’s ability to pump blood efficiently.
• Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) and other forms of cardiomyopathy also fall into this category.

Familial hypercholesterolemia: This genetic disorder causes elevated levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol from a young age, significantly increasing the risk of coronary artery disease. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, familial hypercholesterolemia affects about 1 in 250 people.

Channelopathy: These are genetic disorders that affect the heart’s electrical system and cause life-threatening arrhythmias.

Other conditions:

• cardiac amyloidosis: A condition in which proteins accumulate in heart tissue and affect its function.
• heart valve disease: Some valve problems can be inherited.
• Familial thoracic aortic aneurysm syndrome: In this condition, the aorta becomes weak. The aorta is a large artery that carries blood away from the heart.
• pulmonary hypertension: High blood pressure in the arteries to the lungs can be inherited.

what to do

Dr Aparna Jaswal, director of electrophysiology and cardiac pacing at Fortis Escorts Heart Institute in Delhi, said: india today How you can work towards a healthy heart:

Get tested regularly: First of all, regular health checkups are essential. You should see if you already have some symptoms and can work on improving them with the help of your doctor. If all is well, be sure to have a full body exam every six months to track your heart health.

Maintain a healthy diet: A diet high in healthy protein sources such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains, fish, seafood, legumes, nuts, and seeds is recommended. To control blood pressure, limit your intake of saturated fat and choose foods low in salt.

exercise: Regular physical activity helps maintain heart health. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise each week.

Stress management: Chronic stress can negatively impact heart health. You can find healthy ways to cope with stress, such as practicing relaxation techniques, exercising, spending time with loved ones, and pursuing your favorite hobbies.

Know your family history: Understanding your family’s health history is very important. It can be helpful to talk to relatives and gather information about heart disease, stroke, and other related health problems in your family. Knowing your genetic predisposition can help you and your doctor make informed decisions about your heart health.

What not to do

Ignore the symptoms. Be on the lookout for early warning signs of heart disease, such as chest pain, shortness of breath, extreme fatigue, and irregular heartbeat. Please see a doctor immediately.

If you neglect regular inspections, Skipping regular health checkups can lead to missed opportunities for early intervention. Be sure to attend all scheduled appointments, especially if she is over 45 years old.

Underestimating the importance of diet: A poor diet can significantly increase your risk of heart disease. Avoid meals high in saturated fat, trans fat, and sodium.

Lead a sedentary lifestyle. Lack of exercise can lead to obesity, high blood pressure, and other risk factors for heart disease. Avoid sitting for long periods of time and make physical activity a part of your daily routine.

Please self-medicate or ignore your doctor’s advice. Self-medicating existing conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes or not adhering to prescribed treatments can worsen your heart health.

Smoking and alcohol: Smoking and excessive alcohol consumption can have a negative impact on heart health. To reduce your risk, stop smoking and limit your alcohol intake.

“When genetics are combined with unhealthy lifestyle choices, such as smoking and an unhealthy diet, the risk of heart disease can be further increased,” says Satjit Bhusri, M.D., of Upper East Side Cardiology FACC in New York City. said. Reader’s Digest (February 2022).

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When heart disease is common in your family history, it can feel like a burden that seems inescapable.

But here’s the problem. Although we can’t change our genetic makeup, there are many things within our control that can significantly change our health story.