Siblings Have Cardiovascular Disease? You Might Too
Knowing your family history of disease and health is critical for understanding your own risks. In a recent study, researchers found that middle-aged adults were 45% more likely to get cardiovascular disease if they had a sibling with cardiovascular disease*. In fact, having a brother or sister with cardiovascular disease increased the risk more than having a parent who had cardiovascular disease at a relatively young age.
How can you reduce your risk of heart disease?
- Quit smoking.
- Improve your cholesterol levels.
- Control your blood pressure.
- Lead an active life.
- Eat right.
- Achieve and maintain a healthy weight.
- Manage stress.
- Control diabetes.
*Heart attacks, chest pain (angina), inadequate coronary blood flow, intermittent claudication (such as seen in peripheral arterial disease), stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA), or any deaths due to coronary heart disease or cardiovascular disease.
FOXNews.com, December 27, 2005
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