It's A Downer, But Discuss Medical Histories This Christmas
Individuals with a family history of premature heart disease, heart attacks or stroke in a first degree relative before the age of 60 years, continue to have a higher risk of dying despite earlier referral to general physicians, lifestyle changes and drug treatments. Doctors are aware of the increased risk individuals with family history of heart disease face, with around a 40% higher chance of being affected than the average population. In response, these individuals are usually referred earlier for interventions to reduce the risk, but research published by the University of Glasgow in the European Heart Journal has shown that even when early interventions are instituted, these patients are still 12-20% more likely to die prematurely. read more