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Family history of cardiovascular disease does not predict risk-reducing behavior
Avishay Elis1, David Pereg, Amir Tirosh
1Department of Medicine, Meir Medical Center, Kfar Saba, Israel. avishayel@clalit.org.il
Insights
Individuals with a family history of cardiovascular disease often have uncontrolled risk factors like obesity and high blood pressure. Targeted interventions are needed to manage these risks in young adults.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Preventive Medicine
- Public Health
Background:
- Family history is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD), particularly in younger populations.
- Individuals with a family history of CVD are expected to have higher risk factor prevalence and engage in proactive risk management.
- Understanding this association is crucial for early detection and intervention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the link between a family history of cardiovascular disease and the presence of modifiable risk factors.
- To assess risk-reducing behaviors in young, healthy adults with and without a family history of CVD.
- To identify potential targets for preventive cardiovascular health initiatives.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study evaluating demographic, clinical, and lifestyle data of Israeli Defense Forces personnel.
- Comparison of behavioral and clinical parameters between participants with and without a documented family history of CVD.
- Analysis included 41,099 participants, with specific identification of those with a family history of CVD.
Main Results:
- A family history of CVD was identified in 3802 men and 628 women.
- Men with a family history of CVD showed significantly higher rates of obesity, hypertension, hyperglycemia, and dyslipidemia.
- Women with a family history of CVD had higher rates of obesity, hypertension, and hyperglycemia, though less pronounced than in men.
- No significant differences in risk-reducing behaviors (physical activity, smoking status) were observed between groups.
Conclusions:
- Young adults with a family history of CVD are identifiable but often have unmanaged cardiovascular risk factors.
- There is a critical need for focused attention and ongoing education to modify behavioral and medical parameters in this high-risk group.
- Proactive public health strategies are essential to mitigate the long-term cardiovascular risks associated with a positive family history.
Background:
Family history is one of the main risk factors for cardiovascular disease, especially in the younger population. These individuals, being closely related to young symptomatic patients, are anticipated to have a high rate of risk factors but also to control them aggressively. The aim of the study was to evaluate the association between family history of cardiovascular disease and risk factors that control as well as reduce risk-reducing behavior among young, healthy adults.
Design And Methods:
Demographic, clinical and lifestyle parameters of career service personnel of the Israeli Defense Forces, who were checked at the staff periodic examination center, were evaluated. Behavioral and clinical parameters of participants, with and without cardiovascular family history, were compared.
Results:
The study cohort comprised 41,099 patients (36,236 men and 4863 women). Of those, 3802 men and 628 women with a family history of cardiovascular disease were identified. Male individuals had a higher rate of treatable risk factors like, obesity (P<0.0005), high blood pressure (P<0.0005), high plasma glucose (P<0.0005) and dyslipidemia (P<0.0005) than individuals without a family history. Among the women, the rate of these risk factors was higher than in the control groups but was statistically significant only for obesity, high blood pressure and high glucose levels. Risk-reducing behavior like regular physical activity and nonsmoking status in both the sexes did not differ between the groups.
Conclusion:
Members of the young population with a family history of cardiovascular disease is easily identified but remains largely uncontrolled. Special attention and continued education are required to modify their behavioral and medical parameters.
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