- By Prerna Targhotra
- Mon, 07 Oct 2024 05:54 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Genetic inheritance can manifest as various heart diseases and abnormalities that can be transmitted in families. These include rhythm abnormalities (called arrhythmias), cardiomyopathy (heart failure), lipid metabolism abnormalities, structural heart malformations and bicuspid aortic valve disease. Early recognition & appropriate therapeutic interventions can avert complications of such genetic abnormalities. Hence individuals should be alert, and take precautionary steps to maintain a healthy heart.
In a conversation with Jagran English, Dr Prakash Sanzgiri, Cardiologist, Lilavati Hospital Mumbai explained that the burden of heart disease is rising in the country at an alarming rate. Shockingly, heart disease has become a common occurrence not only in the older population but also among youngsters. There are numerous heart diseases and abnormalities that can be inherited which result in arrhythmias, heart failure, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, bicuspid aortic valve disease causing aortic valve stenosis in young, lipid metabolism disorders causing premature atherosclerotic heart disease and heart attacks in young and connective tissue disorders, such as Marfan Syndrome.
Can Genes Increase Risk Of Heart Diseases?
Having a family member with any heart condition can raise your risk too. One can also be at a greater risk of suffering from heart disease if any of the family members have diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol, which can have a genetic predisposition. While inherited genes can put one at risk of heart disease, pay attention to factors such as family history when it comes to heart health. Likewise, one also has to understand the fact that being overweight or obese, smoking, having unhealthy eating habits, or lack of physical activity can raise your chances of heart disease.
The symptoms: One has to consult an expert in case of symptoms such as chest pain, breathing difficulties, dizziness, fatigue, palpitations, neck, jaw, shoulders or arm pain, coughing and wheezing, dizziness, sweating, confusion and lightheadedness. The history of sudden cardiac death in the family is ominous. Don’t delay diagnosis and treatment after noticing the symptoms.
Comprehensive cardiac screening is the need of the hour: If one has a family history of heart disease, cardiac evaluation consisting of an ECG, biochemistry tests, echocardiogram or a cardiac MRI are essential to diagnose whether you too suffer from a cardiac condition that needs initiation of early treatment. Genetic testing is a vital tool to identify heart disease. This testing helps to understand one’s risk for familial hypercholesterolemia or arrhythmias, allowing for tailored interventions that might include early screenings or preventive therapies.
Role Of Genes In Heart Diseases (Image Credits: Canva)
The treatment: Medication, surgery (angioplasty, open-heart surgery, minimally invasive surgery), and cardiac rehabilitation (exercise regimen to strengthen the heart) will be recommended by the doctor. The treatment will be tailor-made as per one’s requirements.
Vital strategies to prevent inherited heart diseases: It is critical to pay attention to heart health. Check your blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels regularly and take medication without fail. Genetic counselling and antenatal foetal echocardiography are mandatory if there is a prior history of defects in newborns in the family, and will guide couples to decide regards pregnancy. Regular exercise and, stress-free life can be attained by doing yoga or meditation, eating a balanced diet and sleeping well. Go for regular cardiac screenings after every six months as suggested by the expert.
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