Understanding the role of genetics in heart health
Cardiovascular diseases are diseases affecting the heart and blood vessels. They are the leading cause of death all over the world. Among many other risk factors, your genes determine if you have a high, low or moderate risk of developing heart disease. This is due to genetic changes that have been passed down from parents. Therefore, understanding the role of genetics in heart disease can be a crucial step to lower your risk of heart disease.
READ: Genes – Characteristics, Structure and Functions of Gene – BYJU’S
The Link Between Your Genes and Your Heart
Although you now know that your genes can increase your risk of heart disease, that is not all. How exactly does this work? There are different ways by which genes can affect your heart. In some cases, changes in the genes may manifest at birth while others may develop later. In other instances, the changes in genes affect how your body processes nutrients and regulate important body functions. All these can affect how your heart functions.
Genes in Inherited Heart Conditions
Many diseases of the heart can be inherited from parents. Examples include cardiomyopathy, arrythmia syndromes, coronary artery disease, etc. More explanation on these conditions is provided below:
Cardiomyopathy is a condition in which the muscles of the heart become damaged. Due to this, they cannot pump blood adequately leading to irregular heartbeats and heart failure.
Arrhythmia refers to abnormal heartbeat whether too fast or too low or of an unusual pattern.
Coronary artery disease is the commonest heart disease. Fats accumulate and block blood vessels supplying blood and oxygen to the heart.
All diseases described above are inherited heart conditions due to abnormal changes in the genes responsible for different components of the heart.
Genes as Risk Factors
Changes in genes can affect your body’s ability to regulate blood pressure, blood glucose and blood cholesterol. These are high risk factors of heart disease. Also, people who have a family history of heart disease are more likely to develop a similar condition during their lifetime.
For instance, the Apolipoprotein E (APOE) is responsible for getting rid of Low-Density Cholesterol (LDL), also called bad cholesterol in the blood. If a variant of the gene called APOE 4 is present, it makes the bad cholesterol stick to the blood vessels. This causes atherosclerosis in which blood vessels become thick and narrow.
Genetic changes can also affect the regulation of blood pressure. Excessive reabsorption of sodium and water increases blood volume and blood pressure. In other cases, blood vessels become narrow or blocked.
Additionally, when we get injured, our body protects us from losing too much blood through a process called hemostasis. If the genes regulating this process are affected, it may increase the risk of blood clots in the vessels. This increases the risk of stroke and heart attack.
How to prevent heart disease
Although genes play an important role in many types of heart disease, making lifestyle changes can help you keep your heart healthy. Some important changes include:
- No smoking
- Regular physical activity
- Eating a heart-healthy diet
- Regular checkup and assessment
Furthermore, it is important to manage underlying conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure. Also, look out for early signs such as chest pain, back pain, fatigue, dizziness, shortness of breath. Whenever you spot any of these signs, book an appointment with your doctor to make sure that your heart is in good condition.
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Know Your Risk
A good knowledge of the role of genetics in heart disease is important for prevention, diagnosis and treatment. Genes are important in heart health because they determine risk of disease as well as how a person would respond to treatment. However, knowing your genetic risk and adopting lifestyle changes can help you prevent heart disease more effectively.
