Family history and heart health: How genetics influences your cardiovascular future

It's important to recognise that genetics only tells part of the story. Lifestyle choices—such as maintaining a balanced diet, exercising regularly, avoiding smoking, and managing stress—remain pivotal in preserving heart health.

Understanding our family's medical history is vital to taking control of our health, particularly when it comes to cardiovascular diseases. Heart disease remains a leading cause of death globally, and while lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise, and smoking significantly influence heart health, genetics also play a crucial role.

Indiatoday spoke with Dr Aparna Bhanushali, Head of Growth & Scientific Support, HaystackAnalytics to get more insight.

Family trees often carry the imprints of cardiovascular health across generations. If heart disease has been prevalent in your family, it is likely not a coincidence.

The Indian Heart Association suggests that Indians are more prone to heart disease at a younger age, with the risk increasing in individuals as young as 35 years.

Certain genetic mutations and variations in DNA can predispose individuals to heart conditions, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and arrhythmias. For example, familial hypercholesterolemia is a genetic disorder marked by exceptionally high cholesterol levels.

Individuals with this condition have a heightened risk of developing heart disease at an early age, and it frequently runs along family lines.

In India, the interaction between genetic predisposition and environmental factors like urbanisation, dietary changes, and increased stress can also exacerbate the risk of heart disease.

THE ROLES OF GENES IN HEART HEALTH

Genes influence cardiovascular health in various ways, playing a role in everything from cholesterol metabolism to blood clotting. Below are some key genetic factors that can impact heart health:

Cholesterol Metabolism: Genes can determine how efficiently your body processes cholesterol. Variations in genes responsible for regulating cholesterol can result in high levels of 'bad' LDL cholesterol, a significant risk factor for heart disease.

For example, high triglycerides, particularly prevalent in Indian populations, pose an independent risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) beyond diet.

Blood Pressure Regulation: Genetic factors play a crucial role in the body’s ability to regulate blood pressure.

Certain gene mutations can hinder this process, making it challenging to maintain healthy blood pressure levels.

These genetic variations can disrupt the mechanisms that control blood flow and fluid balance, leading to an increased risk of hypertension.

Heart Rhythm: Genetic variations can interfere with the heart's normal electrical signals, resulting in arrhythmias.

These disruptions can cause various heart rhythm disorders, including conditions such as long QT syndrome and atrial fibrillation, both of which have hereditary links.

Individuals with these genetic predispositions may experience irregular heartbeats, which can lead to serious complications if not monitored and managed properly.

Blood Clotting: Certain genetic mutations can elevate the risk of excessive blood clotting, a condition known as thrombophilia.

This increased tendency to form clots can significantly raise the likelihood of serious cardiovascular events, such as heart attacks and strokes.

Individuals with these genetic variations may experience abnormal clot formation even in the absence of typical risk factors.

Inflammation: Genetic predispositions can significantly affect the body’s inflammatory response, playing a key role in the development of chronic inflammation.

This persistent inflammation is a contributing factor to atherosclerosis, a condition characterised by the buildup of plaque in the arteries.

Over time, this plaque can restrict blood flow and increase the risk of cardiovascular events, such as heart attacks and strokes.

Learning about your genetic predisposition to heart disease can empower you to take proactive measures to safeguard your cardiovascular health.

Genetic testing can reveal your risk factors, enabling you to make informed decisions about your lifestyle and healthcare.

However, it’s important to recognise that genetics only tells part of the story.

Lifestyle choices—such as maintaining a balanced diet, exercising regularly, avoiding smoking, and managing stress—remain pivotal in preserving heart health.

Even if you are genetically predisposed to heart disease, adopting healthy habits can mitigate many of these risks.