Heart disease: All in the family

Heart disease: All in the family

Recently, the president of the American Heart Association, Dr John Warner, had a minor heart attack. Dr Warner’s case is an indication that even doctors are prone to a possible heart attack and family history of heart attacks should not be ignored.

 

 

“Irrespective of the profession, it is imperative to not ignore a strong family history of heart attack or heart diseases in general,” says Dr Sunil Kapoor, Senior Interventional Cardiologist, Apollo Hospitals.

 

 

Research indicates that siblings with one parent that had experienced a heart attack were 48 per cent more likely to have one. Those with two parents with history of heart attack were nearly six times more likely to have a heart attack.

 

 

“Those with a family history of heart attack should begin taking preventive measures and precautions at a very early stage. This includes eating a heart-healthy diet composed of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and omega-3 fatty acids; regular physical activity; and quitting smoking or drinking,” says Padma Shri Awardee Dr K K Aggarwal, President Heart Care Foundation of India (HCFI) and Immediate Past National President Indian Medical Association (IMA).

 

 

“Genetics and heredity plays an important role as a risk factor. Mostly elevated lipids and lipoprotein a are transmitted genetically. These cause blockages in the arteries of the heart causing heart attacks,” says Dr Kapoor.

 

 

Timely consultation with a doctor and treatment at this stage can avert the onset of disease in many cases, which may be potentially life-threatening in some cases. “Family history of cardiovascular disease is an important risk factor for developing heart attacks. You are considered to have a family history of cardiovascular disease if any of the male first degree relatives have this problem below the age of 55 years and if any of the female first degree relatives have this problem below the age of 65 years,” says Dr Ramesh Gudapati MD, DM, Chief of Cardiology, STAR Hospitals.

 

 

Unfortunately there is nothing that can be done about your family history. It is hence called a non modifiable risk factor – a risk factor that you can’t change. “Although you can’t change your family background, by having a healthy life style one can reduce the risk of developing heart problems,” says Dr Ramesh.

 

 

Some of the key components to healthy life style include :

 

 

Regular physical exercise

 

Healthy diet

 

Not smoking

 

Maintaining healthy body weight

 

Managing diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol etc.

 

 

Warning signs :

 

Chest discomfort

 

upper body pain

 

shortness of breath

 

Most people experience an unusual feeling that begins at the center of the chest and radiates out. The discomfort, which can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain, can last for more than a few minutes or go away and come back.

 

Sometimes people have discomfort or pain in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.

 

Women, just like men, commonly experience chest pain or discomfort when a heart attack strikes and are more likely than men to suffer other symptoms, such as shortness of breath