Cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 cause of death in the world. Understanding the underlying causes is crucial to prevention and saving lives. Researchers and scientists studying genetics learn more all the time about how DNA impacts the risk of heart attack.
At Heart & Vascular Institute, our team of experts keeps up with new information and research in the field of cardiology so we can continue to provide exceptional care to our patients.
The research community’s evolving understanding of the causes of heart attack translates to better care and better outcomes for our patients.
When it comes to heart attacks, more than one thing matters. You don’t have a gene that definitely means you’re going to suffer a heart attack.
Most of the time, a heart attack is caused by a gradual buildup of plaque in the arteries that go to your heart, making it hard for blood to flow through them. Eventually, the plaque ruptures in your artery, creating a clot that blocks blood from getting through and causing a heart attack.
In other cases, however, heart attacks happen when arteries have spasms, even if they aren’t blocked by plaque. Either type of heart attack is called a myocardial infarction.
In addition to different types of heart attacks, different factors can raise or lower your risk, including:
As you can see, the factors influencing your heart attack risk are complicated. Some are lifestyle-related and changeable; some are out of your control.
When scientists fully sequenced the human genome more than two decades ago, a new world of screenings, preventive actions, and treatments opened. Although there’s still much to learn, genetics research informs the practice of cardiology.
For example, researchers recently discovered that people with certain genetic traits have a higher risk of a heart attack when under stress than at other times. That could relate to the fact that more heart attacks happen during the winter holidays.
In this case, your genetic predisposition to stress is the indicator rather than a specific genetic marker related to cardiac health. Stress management is a modifiable risk factor, meaning you can change it.
If you have a family history of heart attack, you still have some control over several risk factors. You should also consult an expert, such as the cardiologists at Heart & Vascular Institute, to get personalized advice and guidance.
By controlling the factors that can be mitigated, such as your diet, tobacco use, exercise routine, and so on, you can reduce your overall risk substantially.
Heart & Vascular Institute has locations in Dearborn, Detroit, Southfield, and Wayne, Michigan. Schedule an appointment by phone or online today to learn more about your situation and what you can do to protect your heart health.
