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Q: Both my parents have been afflicted by heart disease. My father passed away from heart failure and my mother is still alive and is on life long heart medications. I recently turned 40 and would like to know if I should be checked for any possible heart problems. I exercise, eat fairly healthy, don't drink or smoke, but I heard from my mother's doctor that heart problems are hereditary. Should I under go a heart check-up?
A: Your mother's doctor has rightly told you that those who are having family history of Coronary artery diseases have higher risks of having them than others. But I would like to know whether your father had any heart disease detected before the age of 55yrs and your mother before the age of 65 yrs. If so than heart diseases are considered as risk factors for the off spring. Family history of Coronary artery disease is an unmodifiable risk factor. You are 40 yrs old now. In females, coronary diseases occur in late age. Females of 55 yrs and above are considered at risk. But age is not the only risk factor. We need to look for other risk factors which can change the benefit of being a female. The following are the possible modifiable risk factors which you need to look for and modify. Modifiable risk factors (those you can control):
Unmodifiable risk factors like strong family history ( male< 55 yrs, female < 65 yrs) , Patient age > 55 (in case of female), post menopausal lady or lady with early menopause are at increased risk for coronary disease(heart disease). If your parents had heart problems detected early as mentioned above, then you should look for other risk factors in you as mentioned above, which can be modified and risk of coronary artery diseases can be minimized. It is good that you are on a healthy diet, exercising regularly, non smoker, non alcoholic but I would suggest that you go for other risk factors assessments which are included in any cardiac check-up package.
Dr. Parveen Kumar
Cardiology Consultant
A: Your mother's doctor has rightly told you that those who are having family history of Coronary artery diseases have higher risks of having them than others. But I would like to know whether your father had any heart disease detected before the age of 55yrs and your mother before the age of 65 yrs. If so than heart diseases are considered as risk factors for the off spring. Family history of Coronary artery disease is an unmodifiable risk factor. You are 40 yrs old now. In females, coronary diseases occur in late age. Females of 55 yrs and above are considered at risk. But age is not the only risk factor. We need to look for other risk factors which can change the benefit of being a female. The following are the possible modifiable risk factors which you need to look for and modify. Modifiable risk factors (those you can control):
- Cigarette smoking
- High blood cholesterol
- High blood pressure
- Uncontrolled diabetes
- Physical inactivity
- Obesity (BMI >30 kg/m2)
- Uncontrolled stress or anger
- Diet high in saturated fat and cholesterol
- Drinking too much alcohol
Unmodifiable risk factors like strong family history ( male< 55 yrs, female < 65 yrs) , Patient age > 55 (in case of female), post menopausal lady or lady with early menopause are at increased risk for coronary disease(heart disease). If your parents had heart problems detected early as mentioned above, then you should look for other risk factors in you as mentioned above, which can be modified and risk of coronary artery diseases can be minimized. It is good that you are on a healthy diet, exercising regularly, non smoker, non alcoholic but I would suggest that you go for other risk factors assessments which are included in any cardiac check-up package.
Dr. Parveen Kumar
Cardiology Consultant