Is it hereditary?

Question

Can ischemic heart disease be hereitary. My mum recently died and this was on her death certificate.. My sister who has special needs had to send her full medical records to a specialist, and when we looked at the records it had she was tested for ischemic heart disease, she was tested 8 years ago. My mum died 7 weeks ago.

Answer 1

Ruthie - This question generates a lot of confusion, as you can see. The fact is that ischemic heart disease CAN be hereditary, but just having a family member with heart disease does not mean you are at increased risk.

Heart disease is the number one cause of death in the US accounting for over a quarter (>25%) of all deaths. Because it is so common, just having parents with heart disease does not necessarily mean a person is at an increased risk for the same.

When doctors say that a "family history" of heart disease is a risk factor, they are talking about a family history of premature (or early) heart disease. This is defined as a first-degree relative (parent, sibling or child) who was diagnosed with or died of heart disease before the age of 65 for female relatives, or before the age of 55 in male relatives.

Women with a family history of early heart disease are about 3 times more likely to have a heart attack and 5 times more likely to die of heart disease compared to women without a family history.

If your mother was over 65 when she had a heart attack, you are not considered to be high risk based on your family history. You COULD still be at high risk for heart disease, though, if you smoke or have other risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes.

If your sister was under 65 and was diagnosed with ischemic heart disease, then you ARE at higher risk based on family history. However, just being tested for ischemic heart disease doesn't mean that she actually had it, so you need to find that out. Since ischemic heart disease is so common, doctors test a LOT more people for ischemic heart disease than just those who have it. In fact, MOST people who we run these tests on end up having NORMAL tests. Hope that's helpful! Good luck!

In response to some of the misinformation others have posted...

* What Misty Dear is talking about is very different. Her husband and children have a congenital heart problem meaning there was something abnormal in the way their hearts developed. That is entirely different from ischemic heart disease which is something that people acquire during their lives.

* Finally, Dr. Loving_Heart offers some reasonable advice, but there is NOTHING wrong with people with ischemic heart disease drinking alcohol in moderation. ONE serving of alcohol daily does not increase a person's risk for ischemic heart disease.

Answer 2

hi as many other people have already told you ischaemic heart disease is hereitary. is is basically the clogging of our arteries as we get older. although it is hereditary it does not mean that you will get it. my family have a big history of heart disease and my mum died at the age of 46 from ischaemic heart disease. im nurse and the advise i was given by a cardiologist was to make sure that you have a healthy diet decrease you fat and alchcohol intake and if you smoke stop. i dont know how old you are but you are never too young or old to start thinking about heart disease especially with the family history. even if someone has got ischaemic heart disease if they are sensibly and make these changes to their lifestyle they can help themseves to live longer. also if you are worried you could see your gp who can keep an eye on your cholesterol and do routine ecg's to check your hearts functioning. i was only 21 when i had my 1st cholestrol check. also let me say how sorry i am about your mum. losing your mum is the hardest thing anyone ever has to go through. take care and see you gp for advice.

Answer 3

As a healthcare provider I can tell you that yes it is hereditary in alot of ways. Such as cholesterol levels (which have a part of heredity and a part of how you eat and exercise which influences the levels). Even if you are at risk of heart disease from your genes, how you live your life and the medications you take can compensate for it and even reverse it. Be under the care of a healthcare provider on a regular basis who will do the bloodwork and the necessary medicines should you need them. Keep to a healthy weight, don't smoke, exercise regulary, and keep to a heart healthy diet. Knowing that this could be a problem for you is half the battle and the rest is in your hands. Read as much as you can about preventing heart disease. Dean Ornish has some great books.....but there is a multitude of information out there. Don't worry....you have the power to deal with this and make your life what you want it to be.

Answer 4

The causes of Ischaemic Heart Disease can be classified into 3 big groups:

1. Hereditary including Diabetes, hypertension,hyperlipidaemias etc.
2.Environmental ; the factors already listed by the answerers above.


3. Multifactorial i.e. a combination of factors.

Best wishes and my sympathy

Answer 5

what russel said to your question is not true. With all due respect to him. He is right when he says it is the way you live. But there is a higher risk in people who's parents has a heart condition or disease.

Also I have never heard of your condtion. It would be worth your while to ask your doctor about This. Or check the mayo clinic.
Check the webmd web site. you could also check www.sads.org. they deal with some heart diseases.

My husband and my children have a congenital heart condition which causes sudden death and it is passed on from generation to generation. Though we did not know about this until my children were already born. this condition is very prevelent in my husbands family.

Many and all are easily passed on.

you really should talk to your doctor for your own piece of mind. If it is and you do have it. often times there is something you can do about it. meds treatments surgeries.

Answer 6

my sympathy Ruthebet its always a sad time//now Russell you are wrong it is hereditary it has followed through four generations in my family with me having a triple a few years back and my eldest Son has had a valve fitted but again your right when you say its how you live yes exactly if you engage in eating full fatty food then sometime it will respond to your system and your cholesterol build up causes you to have Angina and perhaps surgery

Answer 7

I am not a doctor or nurse, but i will try to alleviate your worries, yes i am sure that IHD is hereditary but dont forget you had 2 parents and you may not have all your mums genes, my mum died of same 7 years ago and i at first worried myself sick thinking the same will happen to me. (well it might) but i try to stay healthy. given up smoking, had my blood pressure and cholesterol checked, and excercise as much as possible. hopefully will live longer than my mum who died at 66yrs and never did any of these things, also never drink too much as that is bad also

Answer 8

Heart Disease is not hereditary it's how you lead your life.
It just means there is a higher possibility but it's not definite.

Answer 9

No use for browsing, it is labeled as predisposing factor.
Avoid all risk factors e.g smoking, tension, weight gain, fats, salts etc.
Do more physical exercise, walking is the best (brisk).
So don't worry one more thing you should not consume alcohol at any cost.

Answer 10

heart disease can be hereditary. please have a full cardiac workup by your doctor.
i am sorry for your loss.