March 15, 2025 | by Admin
Heart disease is one of the main causes of death worldwide. Lifestyle factors like smoking, poor diet and lack of exercise can play a vital role in the development of heart disease. However, genetics can also contribute to the development of heart disease. Below, we will explore the connection between the two.
Genetics can cause heart disease in various ways. Here, we have mentioned some of them.
1. Inherited Risk Factors: Many people have inherited risk factors that put them at an increased risk of heart disease. These factors include high cholesterol, high blood pressure and obesity which can cause the development of heart disease. For example, if one or both parents have high cholesterol levels, their children may also experience similar issues.
2. Genetic Mutations: Some genetic mutations can contribute to the risk of heart disease. Some individuals inherit a mutation that results in high cholesterol levels and puts individuals at a heightened risk of cardiovascular events like heart attacks. In these cases, the body’s ability to process low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or bad cholesterol can lead to dangerous build-up of cholesterol in the arteries. Other genetic conditions can also affect the heart’s connective tissues, increasing the risk of aneurysms.
3. Genetic Variations: Apart from genetic disorders, some genetic variations can also put someone at risk of heart disease. As per research, various genetic variations that are associated with processes like inflammation, lipid metabolism, vascular health and blood clotting can cause heart disease. However, these genetic variations are not directly responsible for the development of cardiac disease. This is because only when these genetic variations are combined with environmental factors like poor diet, smoking and lack of exercise, it can result in heart disease.
Some of the ways by which you can manage your genetic risk factors are listed below.
1.Exercise Regularly: Perform 30 minutes of exercise daily to keep your heart healthy.
2. Maintain a Balanced Diet: Focus on the consumption of whole foods that are low in fats and high in fibers.
3. Quit Smoking: Smoking is one of the most common causes of heart disease. It is also believed that smoking can aggravate your genetic risk factors.
4. Monitor Blood Pressure and Cholesterol Levels: Regular monitoring of blood pressure and cholesterol levels can help identify health issues early.
Making heart-healthy choices can help you manage your genetic risk factors and reduce the risk of heart disease. You can consult our leading specialists at our cardiology clinic in Kolkata for further guidance.