Heart disease is considered one of the leading causes of death in Sri Lanka and there is a significant rise in the toll due to the prevailing economic crisis.

Furthermore, if you have a family history of heart disease, there’s an increased risk of developing conditions that may lead to a heart attack or stroke.

However, having a family history of heart disease certainly doesn’t mean that you will definitely develop it as well. But knowing your family history helps you to manage and ignore the risk factors by adopting a healthy lifestyle.

As an Interventional Cardiologist, let me help you better understand your own risks and take the necessary precautions.

What is “family history”?
A history of records of health conditions that have affected your close family members throughout the years is referred to as “family history”. For instance, if you have a father, brother, son, or other male family members who had heart disease or a heart attack before age 50 or a mother, sister, daughter, or other female family members who had heart disease or a heart attack before age 60, you are most likely at risk of developing heart disease.

Make sure you inform your doctor if you have a family history of heart disease. It is always better to keep your doctor informed firsthand if your family, especially your parents, grandparents, or siblings have or have had any heart conditions. Having a family history of heart disease warrants additional checkups, screening tests, and monitoring.

You should also share your family’s history of diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure conditions, and obesity if any. These in fact are conditions that we as doctors can monitor and you can control.

How can you reduce the risk of contracting a heart condition even if you have a family history? There is nothing we can do to change your family history but there are certainly various things we can do to reduce the risk of developing heart disease.

1. Schedule regular visits with your doctor – Even if you feel healthy, there is no harm in consulting your healthcare professional and getting a few screening tests done at least annually. Your doctor may also help control your diabetes, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure levels and prescribe medication if required.

2. Quit smoking and control your alcohol intake; consume in moderation. Tobacco and alcohol increase the risk of heart disease.

3. Maintain a healthy lifestyle – Avoid a sedentary lifestyle. Exercise regularly and improve the circulation of blood to your heart and lose unhealthy weight.

4. Choose ways to manage your stress and get proper sleep.

5. Eat a healthy diet – Consume food & beverages that contain less or no saturated fat. Food such as butter, palm & coconut oil, cheese, and red meat contain high amounts of saturated fat. Control the intake of salt & sugar and limit eating highly & ultra-processed food that contains trans-fatty acids. Cut down carbohydrate intake like having rice for all three meals.

It is understandable that you may worry about contracting a heart condition especially if you have a family history. But being safe is better than worrying isn’t it? Let your healthcare professional assist you to maintain your cardiac health and also don’t forget to do your part in taking care of your heart.