Research Corner - Q&A Genetics and Heart Disease by Stephen Holt | Date Released : 04 Mar 2003 0 comments Print Close Question An intelligent man I know with a family history of heart disease said to me that he had heard that 80% of what was going to happen was determined by genetics so why bother to exercise. Do you have other data that I can tell him? Answer According to a statement by cardiology researcher Dr. H.R. Superko at HeartDisease.com, "Inherited traits that contribute to Heart Disease Risk can be identified in approximately 80% of heart disease patients." Notice, that is NOT the same as "80% of what's going to happen is determined by genetics." Moreover, Dr. Superko goes on to say, "The rate of heart disease progression can be slowed and some degree of regression is possible." In other words, even with a family history of heart disease, there can be some reduction of risk. He adds that "Screening family members can be quite informative and "and provides a great opportunity for effective preventive [my emphasis] cardiology." The same doctor participated in and published a study in Circulation (Vol. 89, 1994) indicating that lifestyle changes (including exercise) can significantly lower the risk of developing CAD. Another study of 84,000 nurses published in the New England Journal of Medicine showed that women who adopted healthy lifestyles - including exercising at least 30 minutes per day - were 83% less likely to have heart attacks compared with other women. (N Engl J Med 2000;343:16 - 22.) Other well-known studies that you can show your client include the Stanford Coronary Risk Intervention Project (SCRIP), the first major, large-scale randomized trial to show the positive effects of an organized multifactor risk reduction program. The problem is partly semantics and partly the mis-interpretation of a "sound bite” by your client. Contrary to what your friend implied, there's an abundance of scientific evidence that lifestyle changes including exercise have a positive effect on the risk of heart disease regardless of family history. Back to top About the author: Stephen Holt Stephen is the Technical/Education Director of the Maryland Athletic Club and Wellness Center where he is responsible for all aspects of fitness education for over 60 colleagues. In addition to being one of the most popular fitness advisors on the web, Stephen has appeared in several national publications including Fit, Women's Sports and Fitness, Fitness Management and IDEA Personal Trainer. Holt is a member of the Clinical Advisory Board of both the American Medical Athletic Association and the American Running Association and serves on the Governor's Advisory Council on Physical Fitness in Maryland. He is the Immediate-past State Director of the National Strength & Conditioning Association. Stephen holds multiple certifications from ACSM, NSCA, ACE, the CHEK Institute, AAAI and the American Academy of Health, Fitness and Rehab Professionals. Full Author Details Related content Content from Stephen Holt Using Genetic Testing to Guide Exercise, Training and Nutrition: Part II Trisha Brown | Articles The Changing Face of Cardiac Rehab Jeff Thaxton | Articles Heart Disease and Exercise Tammy Petersen | Articles Breathing Problems with Running Stephen Holt | Articles Sprint vs. Long Distance Running for Weight Loss Stephen Holt | Articles Popliteus Knee Tendonitis Stephen Holt | Articles Anaphylaxis Stephen Holt | Articles Buergers Disease Stephen Holt | Articles Inversion Boots Stephen Holt | Articles Chinese Blood Letting Stephen Holt | Articles Sauna Fitness? 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