Does Heart Disease Run in Your Family? Here’s What You Need to Know
- maryrburrell
- Feb 18
- 3 min read
Heart health isn’t just about what’s on your plate or how often you move. It runs deeper than that. It’s woven into your DNA, passed down like a family recipe. But instead of grandma’s green eyes, you might inherit high blood pressure, heart valve issues, or an increased risk of stroke.
I always knew heart disease was in my family—it wasn’t some shocking discovery. But knowing it’s a possibility and actually living it? Those are two very different things. I told myself that if I stayed on top of my health, if I did all the "right" things, maybe I could outrun it. But heart disease doesn’t play fair. One day, I was managing risk factors, and the next, I was in the fight of my life—torrential tricuspid valve regurgitation, congestive heart failure, AFib, and an idiopathic lung disease. And that’s when the tough questions started hitting me:
👉 Was this always in the cards for me? 👉Could I have seen it coming sooner?
If you’ve ever wondered whether your family history could be stacking the odds against you when it comes to heart disease, you’re not alone. Genetics play a bigger role than we sometimes realize. But here’s the good news: Knowing your history gives you the power to take control.
Knowing your family history won’t change your genetics, but it’s like having a cheat sheet for your heart health. If heart disease runs in your family, understanding your risks gives you the power to be prepared, advocate for yourself, and make smart choices. Use that insight to take proactive steps and keep your heart strong.
How to Find Out If You Have a Hereditary Heart Condition
1️⃣ Ask Questions
Have real conversations with your family. Find out if your parents, siblings, grandparents, or even aunts and uncles have had heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, or other cardiovascular conditions. If anyone had a heart attack or needed heart surgery at a young age (before 55 for men, 65 for women), that’s important to note.
2️⃣ Look Beyond the Obvious
It’s not just about heart attacks. Conditions like arrhythmias, valve disorders, and even sudden cardiac death can be genetic. Pay attention to patterns—does everyone seem to have high cholesterol? Does heart failure seem to run in the family? These things matter.
3️⃣ Talk to Your Doctor
If you suspect a hereditary risk, bring it up with your doctor. They can assess your personal risk factors and might suggest non invasive tests like an echocardiogram, EKG, or genetic screening. Knowledge is power, and the earlier you know, the more options you have.
4️⃣ Get Genetic Testing (If Needed)
If you have a strong family history, genetic testing could provide answers and help you make informed choices about your health.
5️⃣ Make Proactive Changes
You might not be able to change your genes, but you can change your approach. If you’re at risk, lifestyle choices matter more than ever. Focus on improving your lifestyle. Each day improve upon what you did yesterday. Life isn't perfect and you won't be either. Just keep putting one foot in front of the other doing your best each day. You'll be amazed at what happens.
✅ Balanced nutrition✅ Regular movement✅ Managing stress✅ Limiting sodium (my personal nemesis!)
Why This Matters—For You and Future Generations
Here’s something we don’t talk about enough: Women, especially Black women, are often diagnosed later and treated less aggressively for heart conditions. If you’re a woman, knowing your family history can help you advocate for yourself before something becomes an emergency.
And if you have kids? This isn’t just about you. The steps you take now could set them up for better heart health in the future. I think about this all the time—how sharing my journey might help someone else avoid the road I had to take.
So, if there’s even a chance heart disease runs in your family, don’t ignore it.
❗ Ask the questions.❗ Get the tests.❗ Take the steps.
Because when it comes to your heart, the best time to take control is now.
Let’s Talk!
💬 Do you know your family’s heart health history? 💬 Have you ever had a doctor dismiss your concerns because of your age, gender, or background? Drop a comment—I want to hear your story.❤️🩹🥑
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