A person who has a family history of heart disease is at an elevated risk for this disease compared to someone who doesn't have this disease in their background. However, this history alone does not mean that you will develop a heart problem. Typically, there are a set of additional factors that cause this increased risk to manifest into a diagnosis. Learn more about these factors.
High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is a potentially dangerous condition that affects the body in a variety of different ways, including the heart. When someone has a stabilized blood pressure level, the level of force at which the blood presses against the artery walls is normal.
For someone with elevated blood pressure, the amount of force is increased. Think of the arteries, in the same manner, you would a piece of Styrofoam, in that the longer an object is banged against the Styrofoam the more damaged it will cause. When you have high blood pressure, the force of blood banging into the arteries causes damage.
Damaged arteries make way for clogged arteries, which ultimately increases the risk of a heart attack. Anyone with a history of heart disease should work hard to lower their blood pressure, or at the very least keep it controlled.
Type 2 Diabetes
All too often, people restrict the effects of diabetes to elevated blood sugar levels. Yes, Type 2 diabetes is a disease that results in elevated blood sugar levels, but it's even more important to focus on the effects that elevated blood sugar levels have on the body.
The increased blood sugar levels can lead to nerve damage, including the nerves that support the heart. This nerve damage is one of the precursors of heart disease. Given a family history, uncontrolled diabetes would only make it more likely that an individual would develop this condition.
It's also worth noting that a large number of people who have Type 2 diabetes are also overweight, which can further put an individual at risk for cardiovascular concerns given their family history.
Seek an Assessment
If you have a family history of heart disease and any of the above-mentioned factors, you may be in a high-risk category. At the very least, it's a good idea to go to a clinical cardiac care center near you to have your heart health assessed and to determine how you should move forward with protecting your heart.
Your heart health is incredibly important. No matter what symptoms you may or may not be experiencing, don't hesitate to contact a cardiac healthcare professional for assistance.
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