Heart Health Is More Than Diet and Exercise
Exploring the hidden influence of genetics on cardiovascular risk.
What Role Do Heredity and Genetics Play in Heart Health?
“We found something.” Few phrases stop you in your tracks like that one. Over the years, I’ve heard it more than once, first with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and Sjögren’s syndrome. Those diagnoses, while scary, were validating after years of my symptoms being dismissed by a doctor (whom I later fired by the way).
Then came pericentral retinitis pigmentosa (RP), followed by the discovery that I carry the MYBPC3 gene, which increases the risk for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). That one shook me, and for a (brief) moment, I felt like I’d inherited the “bad” genes in the family.
You see, my late father and I share RA and Sjögren’s, while my mom and brother seem untouched by chronic conditions. When I started learning more about my condition, I began to realize my autoimmune conditions were far from uncommon. That made me wonder how many of us live with inherited conditions we don’t even know about? And, how might that be quietly shaping our heart health?
Why Genetics Matter, But Don’t Tell the Whole Story
Earning my Precision Nutrition Level 1 certification taught me the impact of food and movement on our health. But my own health journey taught me that lifestyle choices are just part of the story. Genetics, access, and systemic inequities carry weight that is often dismissed.
Genetics can determine your inherited disease risks and how your body might react to various environmental factors.
Access can impact the detection and treatment of various health conditions, which is essential for reducing mortality risk.
Systemic inequities can create health disparities through unequal access to resources and opportunities to promote better health.
During my studies, I learned that preventive screenings, early diagnosis, and genetic testing can be life-changing. In fact, my participation in a Veterans Administration study is the only reason I know about my HCM risk today.
What Is Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy?
HCM is a lifelong heart condition that causes the heart muscle to thicken and can lead to complications over time. It affects about 1 in 500 people in the U.S., but most never know they have it until symptoms appear, which sometimes can be too late.
I don’t have HCM, but carrying the gene has pushed me to take heart health seriously. That’s why this month’s newsletters focused on cholesterol’s role in heart health, because September is National Cholesterol Education Month:
How Access and Affordability Impact Heart Health
The truth is that no matter how “clean” your diet or how consistent your workouts, you can’t out-exercise your genes. However, early detection and treatment can dramatically improve outcomes, requiring an accessible, affordable healthcare system.
As a Massachusetts resident, I wasn’t shocked to see that The Commonwealth Fund ranks MA as having the best healthcare system in the nation. I’ve experienced firsthand the quality of care you can (but not always) receive as a patient. In addition, due to my employers, most of my tests and screenings are mostly, if not entirely, covered by insurance, a privilege not everyone has.
However, that privilege is something that also keeps me up at night. Even though MA is amongst the best, other states are amongst the worst. I couldn’t help but notice that some of the states with the lowest-ranked healthcare systems also have large Black populations. From Mississippi to Arkansas, I’m not ignorant of the fact that many healthcare systems in the U.S. are significantly underresourced. That means the likelihood of preventable deaths will be higher in states where the healthcare systems desperately require strengthening.
Why This Matters for You?
While your genes aren’t your destiny, knowing what you’re working with can save your life. I credit my parents for a lot in my life, but the one huge thing I especially credit them for is encouraging me to prioritize my healthcare.
I want this to be a reminder for you to:
Ask about your family health history; knowing your health risks is vital.
Stay current with preventive screenings, as early diagnosis truly does save lives.
Advocate for yourself in healthcare settings, and don’t be afraid to fire your doctor if needed.
I know that the last one is a little spicy and very dependent upon the healthcare system that you’re working with. Let me be clear that I’m a huge proponent of working with your healthcare team. It’s their job to ensure you’re making an informed decision regarding your health, so they should push back if something you’re doing could harm your health. However, if they’re dismissive of your symptoms (the first doctor I fired) or deny you the ability to get a proper diagnosis (second doctor I fired), then parting ways might be the best solution for you both. Firing my old healthcare team helped me find a new team that genuinely looks out for my best interests. If I had to do it over, I would have done it again, but much sooner.
Please comment below if you’re comfortable sharing why you fired or didn’t fire your healthcare team. I know this can be a touchy subject for some, but I also know that we often need to hear how others have approached an issue to permit ourselves to do the same.