How to outrun your genetic flaws and cut heart disease risk

IT MAY be possible to outrun your genes, a study has suggested, as scientists found exercise cuts the risk of heart disease even if you are genetically predisposed to the condition.

A study of half a million British people showed that people “at high genetic risk” who regularly exercised were 50 per cent less likely to develop coronary heart disease than their couch potato equivalents.

Lead author Dr Erik Ingelsson, professor of Medicine at Stanford University in California, said: “The main message of this study is that being physically active is associated with a lower risk of heart disease, even if you have a high genetic risk.

“People should not just give up on exercise because they have a high genetic risk for heart disease. And vice versa. Even if you have a low genetic risk, you should still get exercise. It all ties back to what we have known all along. It’s a mix of genes and environment that influence health.”

The study used data from 482,702 participants of the UK Biobank Study – a group of 40 to 69-year-olds from England, Scotland and Wales who were surveyed on a range of health factors.

It revealed greater grip strength, more physical activity and better cardiorespiratory fitness are all associated with reduced risk for heart attacks and stroke.

In people with an intermediate genetic risk, those with the strongest grips were 36 per cent less likely to develop coronary heart disease.

They also had a 46 per cent lower likelihood of developing atrial fibrillation – an irregular, often fast heartrate – than the mid-risk people with the weakest grips.

Meanwhile those deemed at high genetic risk but with high levels of cardiorespiratory fitness were associated with a 49 per cent lower risk for coronary heart disease. And they also had a 60 per cent lower risk of atrial fibrillation than their low-fitness counterparts.

Prof Ingelsson said: “There are a few caveats – the study is not a prescription for a specific type or amount of exercise and because the results come from an observational study. Nonetheless, the data is robust and these latest results are worthy for consideration in guidelines. For individuals it would be best to discuss a physical activity plan with a physician.”

The study was published in the American Heart Association’s journal Circulation.