---
title: What a Family History of Heart Disease Means for Your Health
date: 2025-08-29T12:52:00-04:00
author: Jonese Austin
canonical_url: "https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/what-a-family-history-of-heart-disease-means-for-your-health"
section: Resources
---
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[Health & Sexuality Info](/health-info)# 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.

[Read the full article ](https://health.clevelandclinic.org/family-history-of-heart-disease-heres-what-you-need-to-do)

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

![A white table with a family history form, a stethoscope, and a paper cutout of a family around a heart](data:image/png;base64,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) Pixel-Shot/Adobe Stock

![](/assets/img/monogram.webp)Topics

- [ heart health](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/subject-area/heart-health)
- [ understanding heart conditions](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/themes/understanding-heart-conditions)
- [ taking care of our hearts](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/themes/taking-care-of-our-hearts)
- [cardiovascular risk](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/tags/cardiovascular-risk)
- [cardiovascular disease](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/tags/cardiovascular-disease)
- [healthy habits](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/tags/healthy-habits)
- [families](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/tags/families)

![](/assets/img/monogram.webp)### *Why You Can* **Trust Us** 

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##### More to Explore

[ResourcesRead

## Does a Family History of Heart Attacks Increase Your Risk?

When a family history of heart disease matters -- and when it doesn't

![Pexels kampus production 7551684 scaled jpg](data:image/png;base64,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)

When a family history of heart disease matters -- and when it doesn't](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/does-a-family-history-of-heart-attacks-increase-your-risk)

[ResourcesRead

## Assessing Heart Disease Risk Factors

This interactive tool allows you to estimate your risk of ASCVD (Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease).

![Sk je Eedh J Xo R0 unsplash scaled jpg](data:image/png;base64,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)

This interactive tool allows you to estimate your risk of ASCVD (Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease).](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/assessing-heart-disease-risk-factors)

[ResourcesRead

## An Overview of Heart Disease

This article from the Mayo Clinic provides an overview of coronary artery disease.

![robina-weermeijer-qIK_fc-4fmw-1536x864](data:image/png;base64,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)

This article from the Mayo Clinic provides an overview of coronary artery disease.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/an-overview-of-the-healthy-heart)

[ResourcesRead

## Ten Things Every LGBT Older Adult Should Know about Heart Disease

This factsheet provides tips for maintaining heart health, with a particular focus on LGBT older adults.

![pexels-centre-for-ageing-better-11674389](data:image/png;base64,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)

This factsheet provides tips for maintaining heart health, with a particular focus on LGBT older adults.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/10-things-lgbt-heart-disease)

[ResourcesRead

## Five Tips to Handle Holiday Stress

Top five tips from the American Heart Association to help you manage holiday stress and maintain your heart health.

![pexels-askar-abayev-6192017](data:image/png;base64,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)

Top five tips from the American Heart Association to help you manage holiday stress and maintain your heart health.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/5-tips-to-handle-holiday-stress)

[ResourcesRead

## After Acute Heart Failure, Women Experience Worse Quality of Life

Women who experience acute heart failure report worse quality of life than men, even when other health factors seem similar.

![Camellia faceless older woman in chair in dark unsplash scaled jpg](data:image/png;base64,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)

Women who experience acute heart failure report worse quality of life than men, even when other health factors seem similar.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/after-acute-heart-failure-women-experience-worse-quality-of-life)

[ResourcesRead

## An Overview of Atrial Fibrillation

A brief, gender-neutral overview of what happens to the body during atrial fibrillation, including causes, symptoms, interventions, and treatments.

![Atrial_Fibrillation](data:image/png;base64,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)

A brief, gender-neutral overview of what happens to the body during atrial fibrillation, including causes, symptoms, interventions, and treatments.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/an-overview-of-atrial-fibrillation)

[ResourcesRead

## An Overview of Pregnancy and Infant Loss

This March of Dimes article discusses conditions that may result in the loss of a pregnancy or a newborn, health disparities in pregnancy loss, and helpful tips for coping with loss.

![A woman sits in an empty nursery hugging a teddy bear](data:image/png;base64,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)

This March of Dimes article discusses conditions that may result in the loss of a pregnancy or a newborn, health disparities in pregnancy loss, and helpful tips for coping with loss.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/an-overview-of-pregnancy-and-infant-loss)