How hereditary is heart disease?

[Blindbeggar83]

if anyone could shed any light on this/experience I’d be grateful.

I got mitral valve disease, is it likely to be passed on if I wanted to start a family now?

[Blearyeyed]

That is a how long is a piece of string question.If you have a history of heart diseases , or any health conditions , in your direct family , you can have more of a risk of developing those things than the general population. But it's not definite that you will get them.

Many people with more common conditions in their family have more risk but never develop any of them at all.

Lots of things add into to your genetics and family history to either increase your risk or decrease it.

Knowing that people in your family more commonly get certain illnesses should not fill you with worry or gloom though, that knowledge can help you and your family to make better diet, exercise, relaxation and lifestyle choices that end up reducing your risks to the same as those in the generally healthy population or within families with no cardiac illness history.

If you are concerned, you could ask to speak to someone at the Genetic Referral Screening Unit and see if it's recommended to get genetics tests before you make any decisions. You can also ask for counselling via your Cardiology Department or Gynae to see what's the best advice about pregnancy with your condition.

Even if there is a genetic aspect to your health condition , in most cases , you shouldn't let that put you off starting a family if you are healthy enough yourself to carry a child , or fit enough to look after one.

[PadThaiNoodles]

Totally unscientific sample: my mother had migraines, my father had degenerative valve disease. I suffer both; my sister just valve disease; one of my daughters both; the other neither; my sister’s daughter just migraines.

🤷

[Murderfan58]

I don't know if there is a genetic test for that . My dad had 2 heart attacks, my brother has had 2 mini strokes , angina, 2 stents in his heart and permanent AF. I have PAF and was born with a small hole in the side of my heart . Recently heart attack was ruled out after having angiography and only found to have slight furring in my right artery. Seems likely I had a TIA mini stroke waiting to see neurologist who deals with strokes.

Thanks to my neurologist who specialises in movement disorders he had my whole genome genetically tested and finally at the age of 63 in 2022 found out I was born with hereditary Hyperekplexia gene mutation SLC6A5 type 3. Which is rare he has never had a patient with and I was the first person at the Walton Centre to ever have it. The mutantion I have means both my parents where carriers for it and had 50/50 chance of having a child with it . I have got it but my mutation means it stops with me as I am not a carrier . My brother who is 16 months younger than me hasn't got it. So my children and 5 grandson's and my brothers 3 children are all fine .

I am now 66. And because my neurologist put me on Clonazepam in 2020 after 32 years of uncontrollable limb jerks and 4 seizures with in 2 weeks of taking the tablets my limbs were still and no seizures . My hands shake but they always have . But not had a limb jerk or seizure since.

I was under a neurologist where I used to live but he never bothered to have my blood genetically tested or put me on Clonazepam. Took me a move of over 100 miles to the north west to finally get a neurologist who cared .

My parents didn't know they where carriers for HPX as it wasn't heard off until 1958 the year I was born . And only been able to be detected by having your whole genome genetically tested last 10+ years. Before that it was just luck if you had a neurologist who knew the symptoms. But most of my HPX world wide group where adults before they had their diagnosis one was 70 ,lot like me in there 60's and some lucky enough to be diagnosed 18-20's. But at least babies who show signs can be diagnosed at birth and put on liquid Clonazepam.

Sorry this isn't really much help but there is 3 GL mutations which if one or both parents have it are also carriers and it's past to their children. But they know this and have a child as they know what to do and how to get treatment .

It's all down to personal choice . I know a couple who knew they where carriers for the cystic fibrous gene but had 3 children only one child has it there oldest . He's 42 now and has children of his own but they haven't got it.

You need to talk to your cardiologist and find out if it's hereditary or not . And what are the risks to you if you get pregnant. And if you did have a baby I would imagine you would have to have a c section as a normal birth would strain your heart to much .

[Larneybuds]

I had mitral and tricuspid valve problems and have no real history of that or heart disease in either family but I was told that viruses can also damage the heart valves along with general wear and tear as we age. Xx

[Whiteghost]

Dad, Mum, two brothers, one sister, me have all had heart related issues. We all smoked, probably partied to hard, which came back and bit us. One sister who never smoked, took care of herself, in her seventies, still works part time. Ummm, I think its not just hereditary, but lifestyle as well. We all have children, Grandchildren, and they have presented NO heart issues.🤗

[Thanksnhs]

Hi it's a difficult one, my dad died at 62 a heart attack they said then at 58 I was diagnosed with heart failure and needed a transplant, it turns out I have a faulty DSR gene but my brother is absolutely fine, I have passed it on to my younger son but my eldest is fine. Mum had breast cancer and I had bowel cancer. Genetics are a difficult thing in families I have just been unlucky to get the worst of both sides. Mum is 95 and doing fine. Char

[HenryTudor]

My mother’s father died at 64 from a heart attack, my mother at 62 after many HAs and triple bypass. The older of my two sisters and my older brother have had triple bypasses.

When I was diagnosed with hypertension approx 25 years ago my GP said, “With your family history you’re going to be on medication for the rest of your life.”

I had a HA and four stents coming up for five years ago.

[Pinksock2]

My father had a heart bypass at 45 and died of a heart attack at 59, his LAD was blocked. Both of my brothers and myself (a woman) have had issues with our LADs - I didn’t realise and had a heart attack earlier this year as mine was blocked. Now I have a stent fitted and the outlook is good. I really do think it’s inherited - obviously I have spoken to both of my children about this. Do I wish my father had not had me? No, I do not.

[wischo]

Beyond a doubt it is inherited, almost all my fathers brothers and sisters died from heart troubles, my brother has a pacemaker fitted for permanent AF and I have had two stents and an ablation. My dad was also bald and all the males in our family are bald!! the power of genetics.