Genetic diseases are said to be inherited traits that ‘run in the family’ and are passed on from parents to children. During the child’s body development, parents’ genetic code is copied into every cell of the child. Some commonly known genetic diseases are sickle cell anemia, cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy, Huntington diseases and Hemophilia which could affect multiple family members. 

Are heart diseases genetic ?

Yes, heart disease risk may be handed down from generation to generation through genes, that makes it genetic. 

Genes control every aspect of the cardiovascular system, from the strength of the blood vessels to the way cells in the heart communicate. When more family members are diagnosed with heart diseases or a heart disorders, it’s likely that you are at risk.

Types of genetic heart diseases 

Some common inherited heart conditions are : 

• Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) 
• idiopathic or familial Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) 
• Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) 
• restrictive cardiomyopathy
• High Cholesterol 
• Heart Valve Diseases 
• Pulmonary hypertension 
• Cardiac Tumor

Signs and Symptoms

With genetic heart diseases, people don’t experience signs and symptoms,but it has symptoms such as: 

• Fatigue 
• Shortness of breath 
• Chest pains 
• Dizziness 
• Heart palpitations 
• Sudden cardiac death 

Other risk factors

Family  history is just one component of your overall risk for developing heart disease. There are other risk factors like : 

• Medical conditions: Conditions like diabetes and obesity are more likely to trigger heart attacks.
• Lifestyle choices such as smoking and alcohol are greater risk factors for heart disease
• High blood pressure: When a high pressure is not controlled, can affect the heart and other major organs of your body, including your kidneys and brain.
• Eating a diet high in saturated fats and trans fat and cholesterol can trigger heart diseases 
• Inactivity: Not getting enough physical activity is a major risk factor for heart disease.

Treatment of genetic heart diseases 

To prevent and treat diseases requires different interventions like : 

• avoid alcohol consumption
• Avoid  smoking 
• Takes medication for your diabetes and high blood pressure 
• Eat healthy food
• Exercise more under the instructions of your doctor 
• Check your weight if you’re obese 
• implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) 
• heart transplantation (in rare cases)

Heart disease is a leading cause of death in the world, so know your risk factor and protect yourself.