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- $Unique_ID{BRK00160}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{Can You Inherit Heart Disease?}
- $Subject{coronary heart disease diseases inherited genetic Circulatory System
- Inherit attacks attack gene genes genetics risk factors factor inheritance}
- $Volume{V-3}
- $Log{}
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- Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993 Tribune Media Services, Inc.
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- Can You Inherit Heart Disease?
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- QUESTION: With both a father and a younger brother who have suffered heart
- attacks, I am now worried that I may have inherited bad genes that will soon
- make me a victim as well. Is this possible, and what can I do about my
- problem?
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-
- ANSWER: I wish I could reduce some of the anxiety and stress that comes
- through in your letter. That would be an important first step in the list of
- "things to do". The news may not be as bad as it appears. It is true that
- heart disease is known to cluster in certain families, particularly where the
- disease occurs before the age of 55. But the results are not all in as yet as
- to whether or not that represents a true inherited gene, or whether common
- environmental risk factors play an important part. However, in families where
- there are two or more relatives with coronary heart disease, your statistical
- risk is 3 to 6 times higher than the general population. That means you must
- pay careful attention to those risk factors that you can modify or diminish.
- Those include high cholesterol, high blood pressure, over weight, high blood
- sugar, and smoking. While there is nothing you can do about your age and sex
- or your family ties, you are a candidate for a thorough medical examination,
- to determine the exact value and nature of these possible risk factors. You
- must then dedicate the effort necessary to bring them into line, and don't be
- satisfied with high normal. The closer you come to attaining absolute normal,
- the less are your chances of suffering a heart attack. It's not your family
- history that provokes the disease, it's the effects of these major risk
- factors that does the job. While scientists debate the role of inheritance
- (about which you can do nothing), you have an important role in influencing
- your own health. Good luck.
-
- ----------------
-
- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
- the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your
- doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
- problem.
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