03/09/2019 Lifestyle, not genetics, explains most premature heart disease -- ScienceDaily

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Lifestyle, not genetics, explains most premature heart disease

Date: September 2, 2019

Source: European Society of Cardiology

Summary: Physical inactivity, smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol play a greater
role than genetics in many young patients with heart disease, according to new research. The
findings show that healthy behaviors should be a top priority for reducing heart disease even in
those with a family history of early onset.

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Physical inactivity, smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol play
a greater role than genetics in many young patients with heart disease, according to
research presented today at ESC Congress 2019 together with the World Congress of
Cardiology. The findings show that healthy behaviours should be a top priority for
reducing heart disease even in those with a family history of early onset.

"Genetics are an important contributor to premature heart disease but should not be used as an excuse to say
it is inevitable," said study author Dr Joao A. Sousa of Funchal Hospital, Portugal.

"In our clinical practice, we often hear young patients with premature heart disease 'seek shelter' and
explanations in their genetics/family history," he added. "However, when we look at the data in our study, these
young patients were frequently smokers, physically inactive, with high cholesterol levels and high blood
pressure -- all of which can be changed."

The study enrolled 1,075 patients under 50, of whom 555 had coronary artery disease (known as premature
CAD). Specific conditions included stable angina, heart attack, and unstable angina. The average age was 45
and 87% were men. Risk factor levels and genetics in patients were compared to a control group of 520
healthy volunteers (average age 44, and 86% men). Patients and controls were recruited from the Genes in
Madeira and Coronary Disease (GENEMACOR) database.

Five modifiable risk factors were assessed: physical inactivity, smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes, and
high cholesterol. Nearly three-quarters (73%) of patients had at least three of these risk factors compared to
31% of controls. In both groups, the likelihood of developing CAD increased exponentially with each additional
risk factor. The probability of CAD was 3, 7, and 24 times higher with 1, 2, and 3 or more risk factors,
respectively.

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03/09/2019 Lifestyle, not genetics, explains most premature heart disease -- ScienceDaily

All participants underwent genome sequencing. These data were used to develop a genetic risk score
containing 33 variants thought to contribute to CAD or risk factors such as high blood pressure. The average
score was higher in patients than controls. The score was also an independent predictor for premature CAD.
However, the contribution of genetics to risk of CAD declined as the number of modifiable factors rose.

Dr Sousa said: "The findings demonstrate that genetics contribute to CAD. However, in patients with two or
more modifiable cardiovascular risk factors, genetics play a less decisive role in the development of CAD."

He concluded: "Our study provides strong evidence that people with a family history of premature heart
disease should adopt healthy lifestyles, since their poor behaviours may be a greater contributor to heart
disease than their genetics. That means quit smoking, exercise regularly, eat a healthy diet, and get blood
pressure and cholesterol levels checked."

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Materials provided by European Society of Cardiology. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.

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