Inherited Coronary Artery Disease

Coronary artery disease is a form of heart disease that can run in families. It is the most common form of heart disease, and the leading cause of death in the United States. While a family history of this disease is an uncontrollable risk factor, other risk factors can be controlled to reduce the chance of developing this disease.

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Identification

• Coronary artery disease is a condition where a substance called plaque accumulates inside the coronary arteries. When the arteries have a plaque build-up, it is a condition known as atherosclerosis. Plaque consists of cholesterol, fat and other substances contained in the blood. The coronary arteries supply oxygen-rich blood to the heart. As plaque builds up, blood flow is restricted to the heart, which can result in heart failure or heart attack.

Risk Factors

• One of the risk factors of coronary heart disease is a family history of heart disease striking at a young age. According to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, one has an increased risk of developing this disease if an immediate male family member was diagnosed before the age of 55, or if an immediate female family member was diagnosed before the age of 65. Other risk factors include being overweight, smoking, high blood pressure, unhealthy cholesterol levels and diabetes.

Signs and Symptoms

• Those with a family history of coronary heart disease should be especially aware of the signs and symptoms. One of the common signs of the disease is angina, which is pain in the chest due to the heart muscle not receiving enough oxygen-rich blood. Another common sign is shortness of breath. This happens when the disease causes heart failure and fluid accumulates in the lungs, making breathing difficult. Some individuals with coronary heart disease show no signs or symptoms. The disease may not be diagnosed until the person suffers irregular heartbeats or a heart attack.

Treatments

• Treatments are available for coronary heart disease to alleviate symptoms, reduce controllable risk factors and expand or widen arteries that are clogged. Lifestyle changes such as following a healthy diet, exercising, losing excess weight and stopping smoking may be enough to stop the advancement of the disease. For others, medications to relieve symptoms, prevent blood clots and lower blood pressure and cholesterol may be needed. When the blockage is severe, surgery may be required to open or bypass clogged arteries.

Prevention

• Even if a person is at risk of inheriting coronary artery disease, actions can still be taken to prevent or delay developing the disease. One should eliminate all controllable risk factors present to reduce their chances of developing the disease. Be sure the doctor is aware of a family history of heart disease and follow his recommendations.