Genetic Factors That Cause Heart Disease

Heart disease can develop from various causative factors including lifestyle, diet, bacterial infections and age. Heart disease is also well-known to be hereditary. According to the American Heart Association, "children of parents with heart and blood vessel diseases may be more likely to develop them." Here are some genetic considerations that play a part in determining who will develop heart disease.

Family Medical History

Members of families with a history of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes or gout are at increased risk for heart disease. The American Heart Association suggests investigating medical conditions shared by family members over several generations, including causes of death, age when contracting a fatal disease, age at death and ethnic background (for instance, African-Americans have a genetically higher risk of high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke).

Shared Risk Factors

Genetic factors aside, behavioral factors among families such as eating habits, exercise and substance abuse play a part. According to the Centers for Disease Control, "people with a family history of heart disease share common environments and risk factors that increase their risk."

Genes

Researchers have discovered several genes that are associated with heart disease, stroke and high blood pressure. Many children with Down syndrome, the result of an extra 21st chromosome, are born with heart defects. It is also known that missing genetic material on chromosome 22 can cause such defects. According to the American Heart Association, however, "the impact of each individual gene on an individual person is not fully understood." Work is continuing on identifying specific genes that influence heart defects or disease.

Congenital Heart Defects

The Mayo Clinic defines congenital heart disease as "an abnormality in your heart's structure that you're born with." Most of these develop midway through pregnancy as the heart begins to develop from a simple to a complex shape, sometimes as a result of the mother's history of diabetes or of a congenital heart defect in either parent. Even with childhood detection and surgical repair, heart defects can re-emerge in adult years, for instance in the form of leftover scar tissue that can cause heart arrhythmia.

Future Generations

Women born with congenital heart defects may pass on the condition during pregnancy. Both men and women with congenital heart problems who wish to have children should see a physician or genetic specialist to discuss the risks.