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Heart disease and heredity
Ebony, Nov, 2006
Q My mother and grandmother have heart problems. Am I likely to heart problems too?
V.L., Dallas
A Researchers say there is data that indicate a family history of heart disease may predispose people to atherosclerosis and give some insight into the hereditary risks associated with heart disease.
Doctors say it is not a certainty that children of parents with heart disease will face the same fate, but they are more likely to have cardiovascular problems.
One study shows that children of parents who had heart disease before age 60 had early signs of plaque buildup and atherosclerosis--specifically thicker walls of the arteries in the neck than children of healthy parents.
Although people can't change their genetic makeup, they can reduce their risk of heart disease by choosing a healthier lifestyle, including routine physical activity, a well-balanced diet, avoiding tobacco, and controlling hypertension and cholesterol levels.
COPYRIGHT 2006 Johnson Publishing Co.
COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning
