Can your children also have a heart condition

[Tigers15]

I have Afrib is possible that your children or grandchildren inherited the same condition

[Hidden]

Yes, but the precise definition of the type of AF may vary.

[Hidden]

I think we can pass on a genetic predisposition to AF, but I would like to think our children and grandchildren can maybe reduce the chances they will get it. Like having blood pressure checked annually, not smoking, limiting alcohol, avoiding too much exercise, eating healthily, avoiding a stressful lifestyle and keeping weight under control. Not that I expect my kids to listen to me.

[BobD Volunteer]

There can be a genetic pre disposition which allows AF to start to run in families but lots of people get it for no apparent reason. If your parents or their parents had AF then this is more likely but that does not guarantee that your offspring will get it. .

For example we know that endurance athletes develop AF due to the long term damage caused to their hearts but if their child did not take up the sport they would be unlikely to get it.

[Barb1]

If any of your older family members had AF then the younger ones should be tested.

[CDreamer in reply to Barb1]

I’m not sure what you mean? Are you suggesting that our children and grandchildren be genetically tested - I wouldn’t think that was at all feasible. And even if they were would that actually make a difference? Or are you suggesting they were tested if they developed and experienced an Arrythmia and therefor be aware of the possibility?

I guess someday in the future we will all be genetically bar coded at birth and then we will be given a life plan of what to eat & drink and exercise to avoid developing a disease we have a predisposition for.

[Hidden in reply to CDreamer]

Just last night we were discussing how our 24 year old first year medical student son wants to do this. After reading below, I’m not so sure it is a great idea. There is a link to an expanded PDF within.

nuffieldbioethics.org/repor...

[CDreamer in reply to Hidden]

I agree, thanks for the link. I don’t think it is always advisable to know - unless it is a serious, life-threatening disease that has a solution. I am sure if you looked closely we would all carry a gene linked to some disease but it doesn’t mean we will develop them. There are several genetic conditions in our family and half the family got tested and the other half didn’t as they didn’t want to know ‘maybes’. My grandson was born with a very rare bone condition which is so rare that there is not one specialist in the UK who knows anything about it. It’s supposedly inherited but we can’t trace anyone else in any of the families who ever suffered with anything like this.

I think the field of epigenetics very interesting. I read the work of Bruce Lipton in the late ‘90’s and attended several of his lectures, some of his thinking is slightly unorthodox though. What turns genes on or off and how can Lifestyle influence that process. But we don’t even need to wait for that as there are things we can do to prevent or improve our wellbeing right now and surely that is what we need to focus on.

[Barb1 in reply to CDreamer]

When I was diagnosed and my family history discussed, the cardiologist said that it would be a good idea to test immediate family members. My 2 sons were given an ECG, an ECHO and x ray, as was my sister and her 2 children. One of my sons was found to have an enlarged heart and it was suggested that that was monitored.

[Hidden in reply to Barb1]

Well, I have never heard that before but it sounds a good idea. I suppose abnormalities are most likely to be found in the siblings of people with AF, though it would be cost effective in middle aged children too.

Was the screening done on the NHS?

[Barb1 in reply to Hidden]

Yes all on NHS but one of my son's happened to see my private cardiologist. I think this family link is vital to check. Why would you not?

[Droopy60]

My mum had AF and so have I.

[wilsond]

Well,my grandma and mum both had AFib😕

[CDreamer]

Genes influence but not always determine which illnesses we develop. As others have said, teaching and being a role model for living a healthy lifestyle I think is much more important.

[Barb1]

CDreamer, yes unhealthy lifestyle is often blamed for AF and other heart problems but nature over nurture triumphs . Sometimes you are just dealt a bad hand and have to be more scrupulously aware of lifestyle choices than others. That is hard.

[Madscientist16]

I read that 30% of people with PAF know a family member that has it. My father was diagnosed at 38. I was 51 with first diagnosis. I have not been able to ID any real triggers. I was told by my GP and EP that heredity is probably my trigger.