Q. Is heart attack genetic?
Hi doctor,
I am a 30 year old female. My father who is 65 years old has suffered from two very severe heart attacks, one recently and another two years back. His father and brother both died in their 50s from heart attacks. Is heart attack genetic? Should my son and I get tested?
Hello,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
Yes, heart attack has a genetic component coupled with environmental elements like lifestyle, etc.
Your chance of acquiring it depends on both of your parents. Likewise, your son acquiring it depends on you and your husband.
But you are at an increased risk, so you should get periodic health checkup done. Especially blood pressure, lipid profile and blood sugar.
I suggest you follow a healthy lifestyle as follows.
- Avoid fatty, oily and high-calorie diet. Avoid red meat as well. Try to prevent abdominal fat deposition.
- Consume less salt, a lot of green vegetables and fruits.
- Monitor blood pressure regularly.
- Do regular exercises like brisk walking and jogging for at least 30 minutes a day and five days a week.
- Avoid smoking and consuming alcohol.
For further queries consult a cardiologist online --> https://www.icliniq.com/ask-a-doctor-online/cardiologist
Ask a Query
Consult by Phone
Video ChatRelated Questions & Answers
My grandfather had heart attack. Please suggest a suitable treatment for him.
Query: Hi doctor, My grandfather is 82 years old. He has diabetes as well as Alzheimer's. He had a heart attack before 15 days. Doctors are confused whether to go in for angioplasty or bypass considering his age and diabetic history. He had congestion in the lungs and had breathlessness and sleeplessness... Read Full >>
Cardiologist
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I have gone through all your grandfather's details (attachment removed to protect patient identity). Angioplasty above the age of 80 is not a good option. The patient is a subject for CABG (coronary artery bypass graft). Ejection fraction of the patient is 35% only,... Read Full
Article Overview: Many people fear chest pain of any type because they think it may be a heart attack. In this article, I have described when a chest pain should be taken seriously and when it should not. Read Article
Cardiologist
Chest pain is very fearsome for common people due to its association with a heart attack. No doubt, chest pain should be taken seriously especially in old age and in those with risk factors for heart attack such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, etc. But remember one thing that all chest pains are... Read Article
I have a stiff neck and back pain. Could it be a heart attack?
Query: Hello, doctor, I am anxious about my heart. I cannot tell what is causing me to feel like this. I have a stiffness in the side of my neck with some pain in the upper left part of the back. I am able to pin point it. The chest feels weird on the left side. The ECG, chest X-ray and CBC were normal. Ho... Read Full >>
Cardiologist
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. In all probabilities, it is not a heart attack. Neither your symptoms nor the investigations are compatible with a heart attack. I think you should stop worrying about a heart attack. From your description, it sounds like a cervical spine problem like spondylosis or... Read Full
Popular
Ask your health query to a doctor online?
Ask a Cardiologist Now* guaranteed answer within 4 hours.