Bad genes? Get a healthier lifestyle – Quad-Cities Online

Science has long proven that genetics and DNA abnormalities can elevate the risk of contracting diseases like cystic fibrosis and hemophilia. While researchers also have believed that genes can influence the risk of coronary heart disease, a new study says a patients lifestyle can have a greater impact than hereditary background.

Research by The Center for Human Genetic Research at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston found that while genetics can double the risk of heart disease, a healthy lifestyle can cut that risk back in half. Medical researchers analyzed records from more than 55,000 patients and discovered the risk of heart disease is not merely a function of genetics or lifestyle, but a complex mix of both.

Investigators examined the data and created a genetic score based on 50 genes associated with heart disease. They then developed a lifestyle score influenced by factors like smoking status, diet, weight and level of fitness. The findings revealed that while a person with high genetic risk and a bad lifestyle had an 11 percent chance of having a coronary event in the next 10 years, those who also lived a healthy lifestyle cut that risk to only 5 percent.

For heart attack at least, DNA is not destiny, says Dr. Sekar Kathiresan, senior researcher. You have control over your risk for heart attack, even if youve been dealt a bad hand.

Researchers also found those with a low genetic risk (3 percent or less) nearly doubled their overall risk to 5.8 percent when they lived an unhealthy lifestyle. While doctors often have used genetic testing and risk profiles to better inform patients, that information sometimes can lull at-risk patients into thinking theres nothing they can do to overcome their genetics. For some patients, that can reduce the incentive to exercise, improve diet and live a healthier lifestyle. Researchers now say that even for a patient with a long history of heart attacks in their family, living a healthy lifestyle can significantly decrease their risk of coronary heart disease.

The research confirms the findings of four other studies that indicate lifestyle choices can positively or negatively influence genetic risk. It gives hope to patients with an elevated risk of heart disease and offers scientific evidence that they can actively reduce their risk of a cardiac event.

According to the American Heart Association, age, gender and heredity are the major unchangeable factors that can impact the risk of heart and blood vessel disease. A persons risk generally rises as they grow older, and men have a greater risks than women. Yet the AHA notes that despite any CHD risk factors, a healthy lifestyle can always improve the prospects.

According to the AHA website, Just as you cant control your age, sex and race, you cant control your family history. Therefore, its even more important to treat and control any other risk factors you have.

The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute said patients can control many CHD risk factors with healthy lifestyle changes that positively impact blood cholesterol, high blood pressure, weight and obesity. These heart-healthy lifestyle changes includes diets that call for vegetables, fruits, whole grains and lean meats while limiting sodium, saturated fats, added sugars and alcohol. Patients also can engage in more exercise and physical activity to reduce weight and aim for a body mass index that is below 25. The American Heart Association recommends roughly 30 minutes of exercise five days per week.

Even things like stress and depression have been proven to play a role in CHD. When lifestyle changes arent enough, patients also can use medications like beta-blockers and statins to reduce things that could lead to a heart attack. The National Institutes of Health says even more than genes, family eating and exercise habits can influence the next generation.

Making lifestyle changes can be hard. But if you make these changes as a family, it may be easier for everyone to prevent or control their CHD risk factors, according to the NIH website.

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Bad genes? Get a healthier lifestyle - Quad-Cities Online