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Cardiac Surgery | by BMB | Published on 27/01/2022
While many people blame unhealthy lifestyle practices and stagnant lifestyles for heart problems, we cannot deny the fact that these also affect people who strictly follow a healthy lifestyle, or indulge in physical activities on a daily basis. This is because not all heart problems are acquired and these can be inherited as well. In this blog, we are going to bust 3 myths related to inherited heart diseases, with the help of experts specializing in advanced heart procedures like coronary angiography.
Inherited diseases refer to those conditions and ailments that have been passed down through generations via genes. It means that if your grandparents had a certain heart condition, your parents are likely to have the same and if they have it then you also fall in the risk category. The disease may not be present in all generations but it does run in the family. Inherited heart disease, as the name suggests, is an umbrella term used for a wide spectrum of heart ailments, sometimes referred to as genetic cardiac conditions, that are passed from the parents to the children. These are a result of genetic mutations that may affect a single gene or a couple of them. Having a faulty gene puts you at a 50 percent elevated risk of developing a certain cardiac condition that has been passed on from your parents. As per the top heart specialist in Kolkata, one of the most important things that should be noted is that inherited heart diseases do not necessarily present with any symptoms and you might have them even without knowing it for long.
Inherited heart diseases are broadly classified into three categories which include rhythm conditions, cardiomyopathies, and high cholesterol. Apart from these major categories, there can be some other conditions too, like aortic and vascular abnormalities which can be inherited. By now it must be clear that just like your genes influence the way you look, this also influences your cardiovascular health.
Having a family history of a disease does put you at a higher risk of developing the same but it does not necessarily mean that you will have it. Lifestyle choices play a very important role in determining overall heart health and even if you fall in the risk category, making some healthy choices can help to alleviate the same. For instance, if you have a family history of heterotrophic cardiomyopathy, a condition in which the patient's heart muscles tend to become thick and stiff, you can make healthy dietary modifications, keep your weight under check and indulge in physical activities, to bring down the risks. Having a family history of heart disease makes it even more important for you to make healthy lifestyle changes.
No doubt healthy lifestyle modifications play a very important role in alleviating the risks of inherited heart conditions, these do not completely negate them. So if you think that healthy lifestyle changes are enough to ensure the well-being of your heart, you surely need to reconsider that thought. Apart from the changes, you also need to go for regular assessments to keep a track of your heart health and take medication, if prescribed by a doctor. The treatment plan varies from one patient to another depending upon various factors, however, the goals are the same, i.e. to relieve the symptoms and prevent serious complications. Treatment usually consists of medication and surgical interventions and is offered at all the leading heart hospitals in Kolkata.
While some inherited heart diseases do trigger certain symptoms such as breathlessness, angina, and palpitations, not every single patient is bound to experience these. It is quite possible that you have a conditioner but you may not experience any symptoms at all. So, the best way to make sure that your heart is fine is by going for regular assessments and checkups. Also, if you are experiencing the symptoms do not take them lightly, this could be an indication of something serious. It is always better to be vigilant when it comes to your heart health.
If you have a family history of inherited heart disease, it is important to be more cautious and keep regular track of your heart health. To know more about the same, consult BM Birla experts today.
