Preventing Heart Disease
Family History

If a family member (father, mother, brother, sister) has a history of early heart disease (before age 55 for men and before age 65 for women), you are at a higher risk for heart disease than someone with no family history of early heart disease.

A family history of early heart disease is a risk factor you cannot change. However, if you do have heart disease in the family, it is very important to eliminate any other risk factors you may have, such as cigarette smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, or being sedentary or overweight.

Educate yourself about heart disease. Despite a family history of early heart disease, you can reduce your overall risk by building a heart-healthy lifestyle.

• Talk to your relatives and find out everything you can about your family's history of heart disease.
• Eat an extra serving of fruits and vegetables, daily.
• Enjoy a brisk walk.

Preventing Heart Disease Index