Genes make you vulnerable to heart ailments

New Delhi, June 23: Heart disease is a common condition in India and is one of the leading causes of deaths in the country. It is estimated that India houses around three crore heart patients, and two lakh heart surgeries are being performed every year.

Also, India is viewed as the cardiac capital, with the highest number of heart disease cases in the world.

It is a common belief that cardiovascular diseases mainly occur due to smoking, alcohol consumption, hypertension or stress. However, the reality is that genetic factors prove to be amongst the major determinants of heart diseases among individuals.

Research studies have identified at least 67 places within human DNA that can increase the chances of developing heart disease. Within each one, you can inherit one, two or no copies of these genes. As the numbers of copies of the genes you have add up, the risk for developing heart disease adds up too.

“Life contains no guarantees. Even if you live a healthy lifestyle you can still develop heart problems if you have been born with genes that make you vulnerable to heart ailments. Genetics play a critical role in determining the possibility of cardiovascular diseases. It is important that the family history be shared with the doctors, which would essentially include if either of the parents had cardiac issues or stroke. Some conditions that lead to heart disease result from genetic changes like disorders in heart's muscles or the tendency to build up plaques from high cholesterol in the blood,” said Dr. Vanita Arora, Max Super Specialty Hospital.