An analysis of health data spanning over 11 million individuals since 1932 in Sweden has led researchers at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm to discover concerning trends related to heart issues in children, particularly daughters, which are often inherited from their mothers.
According to Dr. Kristina Sundquist, the lead researcher, women have a 43% chance of inheriting heart disease if their mother has it, whereas if the father has heart issues, daughters only face a 17% risk. Sons are also affected by their parents’ cardiovascular health, but the likelihood of inheriting diseases from their fathers is significantly lower.
Dr. Sundquist further explains that beyond genetic factors, environmental influences also contribute to the increased inheritance rates. “During childhood, we often live closely with our mothers, and this period is crucial in shaping long-term risk behaviors such as dietary habits, physical activity, and other non-scientific lifestyles. If both the mother and father have similar health histories, the cardiovascular risk for daughters can rise to 108%, while for sons, it can reach 82%…” she elaborated.
Therefore, if your mother or both parents have a history of coronary artery disease, it is essential to be more aware of other risk factors, especially if you are female.
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