What a Family History of Heart Disease Means for Your Health

Our family history matters to our heart health, but it doesn’t dictate what will happen to us.

In this article, cardiologist Christine Jellis discusses heart conditions that can run in our families and what we can do to take control of our heart health.

Family history is a record of the health conditions in our immediate and extended family as well as the lifestyle, behavioral, and environmental factors that can affect our health. Heart conditions such as heart disease, heart failure, high blood pressure, and diabetes can run in our families. Knowing our family history can help us assess our risks.

We can mediate these risks by living a heart healthy lifestyle. This includes avoiding tobacco, consuming alcohol in moderation, eating a healthy diet, and exercising.

Note: the risk factors listed in this article are not comprehensive. Also, this resource does not focus on women or gender because there is no clinical evidence of sex or gender differences on family history of heart health.

No one asks to be born with their inherited family history, but knowing what’s at stake can at least give you the tools you need to take action and prevent some of the worst-case scenarios.

SOURCE: Cleveland Clinic • LAST UPDATED: October 30, 2023