Your family history of heart disease might not be top of mind during a visit with your child's pediatrician, but it's an important topic of conversation. Even if your child is healthy, sharing your family history will help their doctor plan ahead and know what to look for. Then, if they identify any concerns, they can refer you to a cardiologist.
The good news, according to our chief of pediatric cardiology, Dr. Jeffrey Vergales, is that a family history of heart disease doesn’t always mean your child will develop it. Here, he answers some common questions about the topic.
Family history is a record of the relationships among family members and their medical histories (what diseases or symptoms they’ve had). When it comes to heart health, you should tell your child’s pediatrician about the health history of their immediate or primary relatives.
Immediate relatives include your child’s biological mother, father, and siblings.
If other family members like your child’s aunts, uncles, cousins, or grandparents have all been diagnosed with the same heart condition, it’s important to share that. In addition, tell your pediatrician about any examples in your family of early death (before age 40) or sudden death, both from any cause.
Examples of relevant history to share with the pediatrician include:
If you are able to speak to your relatives to gather information, try to find out if anyone had heart disease or a stroke and at what age.
Dr. Vergales encourages parents not to worry if they can’t access family history, as most heart disease cases are not inherited.
Remember that you know your child best. Stay aware of their health and any changes in activity or energy levels. Don’t be afraid to bring up concerns with your pediatrician, including urgent warning signs like a suddenly racing heart, chest pain, fainting, or shortness of breath.
“The single best thing kids can do, whether or not they have a heart condition, is lead a healthy active lifestyle,” says Dr. Vergales. Encouraging physical activity is a great way to set your child up for a heart healthy future.
Boston Children’s Health Physicians Division of Cardiology offers advanced imaging and comprehensive diagnosis for patients from the prenatal period through young adulthood. With 6 convenient Hudson Valley locations and rapid access to appointments and in-office testing, the team delivers leading-edge cardiac care close to home alongside Dr. Vergales’ specialized expertise in complex congenital heart disease and fetal cardiology.