Genomcis and Chronic Disease Cardiovascular Disease and Family Health History

To view the PDF files, you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader (free download from Adobe's Web site).

Download PDF version formatted for print:
Cardiovascular Disease and Family Health History (PDF: 143 KB / 2 pages)

Screening for Individuals Without a Family History

• Lipid screening beginning at age 20 (1)
• Blood pressure screening for adults 18 and older (1,2)
• Risk factor assessment should begin at age 20. Risk factors, to be recorded at least every two years include,
  smoking status, diet, alcohol intake, physical activity, blood pressure, BMI, waist circumference, and pulse.
  A lipid profile and fasting blood glucose measurement should be made according to the patient's risk for hyperlipidemia
  and diabetes.(3)

(1) National Institutes of Health
(2) United States Preventive Services Task Force
(3) American Heart Association

Screening for Individuals With a Family History

• Although there are no national guidelines for screening and treating individuals with a family history of
  cardiovascular disease, individuals with a family history of premature coronary heart disease (before 55 for men and
  before 65 for women) should be referred to medical care systems to determine the most appropriate screening and
  preventive measures. (4)
• Talk to your healthcare provider about your family health history to make a personalized plan to maintain your health.

(4) Schuener MT. Clinical application of genetic risk assessment strategies for coronary artery disease: genotypes, phenotypes, and family history.
Primary Care 2004;31(3):711-37.

What is a Family Health History?

(5) National Cancer Institute

Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors and What You Can Do About Them

Things You Can Change

• Obesity: Greater weight leads to greater risk. A diet high in fat and calories and low in whole grains, vegetables, and fruits
  increases risk.
• Exercise: An inactive lifestyle increases risk.
• Stress: Increases risk
• Smoking: A smokers' risk of developing coronary heart disease is 2–4 times that of non-smokers. (6)
• Alcohol: Drinking too much alcohol can raise blood pressure, cause heart failure, and lead to stroke. (6)
• Glucose intolerance or Diabetes: Increases risk
• Hypertension: Increases risk.
• High cholesterol: Increases risk

(6) American Heart Association

Things You Can't Change

• Family History: Children or siblings of individuals with cardiovascular disease are more likely to develop it
  themselves. (6)
• Race/Ethnicity: African-Americans, Mexican-Americans, American Indians, Native Hawaiians, and some
  Asian Americans have greater risk than Caucasians.
• Age: Over 83% of people who die of coronary heart disease are 65 or older. (6)
• Sex: Men have a greater risk of heart attack and earlier heart attacks than women.

What Can You Do?

• Lose weight if you are overweight.
• Eat a balanced diet including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat or fat-free dairy products, and lean meats
• Get active
• Quit smoking
• Drink a reasonable amount of alcohol
• Manage your stress levels
• Take your medications to control high cholesterol, hypertension, and diabetes

What Can You Do If You Have A Family History?

• Talk to your healthcare provider about your family health history of cardiovascular disease
• Make a plan to preserve your health
• Regular screening and risk assessment by a healthcare provider
• Engage in healthy behavior

Your Family Health History…

• Know your past.

• Act in the present.

• Protect your future.