4 Things To Do If You Have A Family History Of Heart Disease

This article was contributed by Chris of Spend It Like Beckham

Heart disease is a term used to describe many kinds of heart conditions. The most common heart condition is coronary artery disease, the biggest killer of men and women in 2019.

Sadly, heart disease can run in families. Those with a family history of the disease are 60% to 75% more at risk of developing it themselves. Therefore, it’s vital that you prepare.

But how can you do that? Here are four things you should do if you have a family history of heart disease.

1. Get the Facts

First things first, you need to know the facts. To truly understand your risk of heart disease, you need to understand your family history.

The best way to do this is to sit down with an older relative and talk through different family members. Take note of what kind of heart disease people had, and their gender and age at the time of diagnosis.You’re considered to have a heightened risk if your father or brother was diagnosed before the age of 55, or your mother or sister was under the age of 65.

2. Make An Appointment

Now that you’ve got a clear idea of your family history, it’s time to make an appointment with your doctor. Your doctor will give you their opinion and check your blood pressure, cholesterol, and may even test for diabetes.

If you’re seriously worried about your heart, there are plenty of tests you can take to give you peace of mind. Ask your doctor about getting an echocardiogram – they might refer you to or offer other suitable tests.

3. Commit to a Healthy Lifestyle

One way to naturally reduce your chances of developing heart disease is simply living a healthy life. However, changing your lifestyle may not be as simple as you think.

Changing habits takes time. Swapping fatty treats for fruit and veg isn’t exciting. Choosing to go for a hike instead of lying on the couch is difficult. Cutting down on alcohol and quitting smoking can be hard to do. However, if you manage all that, you’ll be on the road to a healthier life. These changes will take time, so remember to have patience and compassion for yourself.

4. Remember to Breathe

Most importantly, you need to stay calm. Just because you have a family history of heart disease doesn’t mean you’re sure to get it yourself. The risk is increased, but it’s not guaranteed.

They key is to live as healthy a life as you can. Eat well, exercise often, and cut out unhealthy behaviours like binge drinking and smoking. It’s also important to remember that stress affects blood pressure, which can directly affect your heart. Stressing over possibilities that may not happen won’t help. So, take a breath and stay calm.

In Conclusion

Even though your chances of developing heart disease increase due to family history, it doesn’t mean you’re destined to develop it. The best way to ensure you don’t experience health issues is to lead a healthy life by eating well, exercising often, and cutting out bad habits.

But, if you’re really worried, you can seek medical advice. There are several tests that can put your mind at ease and monitor your heart. Remember, a healthy life means a healthy heart. Take care of it, and you’re sure to live a long, happy life.

Peace of Mind if you Have a History of Heart Disease

If you find that you have a family history of heart disease, it’s natural to worry about your health. Fortunately, a personal alarm from Careline365 provides support when you need it. In an emergency, simply press the button on your personal alarm to send an emergency call to our 24/7 Care Team.

When your alert is received, the Care Team will arrange help for you by informing your emergency contacts that help is needed. If necessary, they will also alert the emergency services.

To find out more about Careline alarms, or to order today, call our helpful team on 0800 030 8777.