AUSTIN, Dec. 30, 2025 — Research shows that as much as half of your risk for heart disease can come from your family genes. Experts from the American Heart Association, a global force changing the future of health for all, say knowing your family health history is an important step to reducing your risk for a heart attack or stroke.
“Along with exchanging gifts this season, take a moment to ‘unwrap’ your family’s medical history,” said Dr. Caitlin Giesler, founder of the Heart Center for Women. “Ask parents and grandparents whether anyone has had a heart attack or stroke – and at what age. Understanding your family risk can be a life-saving gift for generations.”
A family history of heart disease or stroke isn’t a death sentence, but it should be a wake-up call. While you may be genetically predisposed to cardiovascular disease, there are a lot of factors that are within your control to lower your overall risk. Not smoking or vaping, making sure you are eating healthy and staying physically active are all good ways to keep heart disease or stroke at bay. At the same time, though, sometimes it isn’t possible to control for all risk factors, especially predispositions to high blood pressure or diabetes.
A study published in the American Heart Association journal Circulation, found people with high genetic risks for heart disease could significantly lower that risk if they adhered to the Association’s prescription for ideal cardiovascular health, now known as Life’s Essential 8™.
Life’s Essential 8 comprises five health behaviors and three health factors:
- Eat Better
- Be More Active
- Quit Tobacco
- Get Healthy Sleep
- Manage Weight
- Control Cholesterol
- Manage Blood Sugar
- Manage Blood Pressure
Along with following Life’s Essential 8, here are some other helpful tips for people with a family history of cardiovascular disease:
- If you don’t know your family’s full history, start with your immediate family. Find out if your brothers, sisters, parents or grandparents had heart disease or a stroke and how old they were when these developed.
- Share your family history with your health care professional as soon as possible.
- Get a baseline on important routine health screenings like blood pressure, cholesterol, blood glucose and weight.
- Schedule routine checkups with your health care team and follow their instructions for good health, including taking any medication as prescribed.
- Recognize the signs of a heart attack and stroke, and if you experience any symptoms, call 9-1-1 immediately.
- Learn Hands-Only-CPR — most out-of-hospital cardiac arrests happen in the home, know how to save a loved one if needed.
Learn more about your heart health at heart.org.
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About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public’s health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, Instagram, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.
For Media Inquiries:
Michael Vybiral: michael.vybiral@heart.org
For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)
