A Not-So Rare Disease: Coronary Heart Disease

By Kelly Landucci · Feb 2019

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the most common cause of disease death in America, killing over 370,000 adults annually. It occurs when arteries that supply the heart become blocked, limiting blood flow. Over time, cholesterol-containing plaque builds up and narrows the arteries; if plaque ruptures, a blood clot can form and cause a heart attack.

Is CHD Genetic?

Yes and no. CHD is between 40–60% hereditary. For about 1 in 250 individuals, high LDL cholesterol is tied to a mutation in a single gene — a condition called Familial Hypercholesterolemia (FH), a CDC Public Health Genomics priority. For most people, however, genetic risk is spread across many genes, and the other 40–60% of contributing factors are environmental: smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, inactivity, stress, and diet.

What You Can Do

A shocking 46.9% of heart attacks occur outside the hospital. An active lifestyle and a balanced diet are your best defense against CHD. If you have a family history of heart disease that you think may be related to Familial Hypercholesterolemia — particularly with a personal history of very high cholesterol — a cardiovascular genetic counselor can help you evaluate whether genetic testing is appropriate and how results might guide your care.