Family History

A family history of heart disease is relevant if a male first-degree relative (a parent, sibling or child) was diagnosed with heart disease before age 55, or a female first-degree relative was diagnosed before age 65.
As many as half of the children and siblings of people with heart disease may have signs of heart disease. Family history is a significant risk factor for heart disease, especially among younger people whose families have a history of premature disease.

Heart Disease and Your Family

Most people with a strong family history of heart disease have one or more other risk factors. And increased risk in families can be due to either genetic or environmental factors. Therefore, it's even more important to treat and control any other risk factors you have.

If a parent or sibling has heart disease (especially early heart disease), you may be at increased risk. Talk to your doctor about heart disease in your family and the prevalence of specific risk factors to create a management plan that's right for you.