Siblings share risk for heart disease

Siblings share risk for heart disease

According to a latest study, having a sibling with a heart condition indicates a greater risk of cardio-vascular disease.

The team of doctors at the Framingham Heart Study analyzed data on around 2,475 middle-aged people and concluded that those with siblings suffering from a cardio-vascular disease, run 45% higher risk of developing a heart condition themselves.

“We were surprised that sibling cardiovascular heart disease may actually be a stronger risk factor than parental cardiovascular disease,” said Dr. Joanne M. Murabito, clinic director of the Framingham Heart Study and the head of the research. The researchers tracked the cardiovascular health of a sample of middle-aged people for eight years who had a healthy heart at the beginning of the study but had a brother or sister with a heart condition.

Framingham Heart Study has collected heart-disease related data on residents of the Massachusetts city of Framingham over the last 50 years with an aim to provide information that would help people fight the disease.

The findings of the study emphasize the importance of family medical history in assessing the risk of heart disease. “It is important to consider sibling cardiovascular disease history when looking at people with elevated levels of risk factors,” said Murabito.

The study that was published in the December 28 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, relates heart disease to inherited genes and the childhood environment shared by siblings. “Certainly, genetic factors that are shared from parents to offspring play a role,” said Dr. Christopher O'Donnell co-author of the study. “In addition, exposures during childhood may be playing a role.” The research draws attention to the significance of our lifestyle, even in early years, for our cardiovascular health.

Dr. Murabito has advised people whose siblings have a heart disease to maintain a healthy lifestyle.