The National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases

Family History and Heart Disease

Broadcast Dates: Monday, Feb. 11 – Sunday, Feb.17, 2013
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Valentine’s Day is this week, so let’s talk about the connection between your heart health and your family’s health.

Hi, I’m Dr. Griffin Rodgers, Director of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases at NIH.

Heart disease is the number one cause of death for men and women. And, if you have a family history of heart disease – that may put you at a greater risk.
 
Your risk increases if a close relative was diagnosed with heart disease, especially if it was before the age of fifty-five in your father or a brother, or before the age of sixty-five if it was your mother or a sister.

So find out whether there’s a history of heart disease in your family, and share that information with your doctor. Although, you can’t change your family’s history, you can take steps to control other conditions that may add to your risk for heart disease.

For more information, follow us on  Twitter @HealthyMoments. This is Dr. Griffin Rodgers with the NIH.