Being young, eating healthy foods, exercising regularly, and not indulging in any unhealthy habits, like smoking and alcohol consumption, can definitely reduce your risk of chronic conditions. However, sometimes, some people may have to look beyond these lifestyle factors.
For instance, having a family history of health conditions like cancer, heart problems, autoimmune conditions, diabetes, and Alzheimer's disease can influence your risk of developing the same diseases.
A family history basically means a record of medical information about you and your close relatives, including your parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and children. In certain cases, diseases, like heart disease or some cancers, can have a genetic component, and knowing if these conditions run in your family can help you and your doctor be more proactive about preventive measures. And when it comes to prevention, the first step is to get the necessary tests and blood work done. We have insights from two established doctors, who share five of the most important tests to get based on your family history of any of the following health conditions.
Also Read: Is Your Heart In Good Shape? 5 Important Tests That Can Tell You
Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer's disease is the most common type of dementia, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It is a neurological condition that affects memory, thinking, and behaviour in patients.
Dr Manish Itolikar, Consultant Physician, Fortis Hospital, Mulund, says, "Individuals with a family history of Alzheimer's should consider cognitive assessments like the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) or Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Brain imaging techniques such as MRI or PET scans help detect structural and functional changes. Genetic testing for APOE gene variants can indicate susceptibility.”
He further recommends routine health checks to monitor cardiovascular risk factors, as they correlate with Alzheimer's risk. These include blood pressure monitoring, cholesterol checks, and glucose tests.
According to the doctor, leading a healthy lifestyle, including regular exercise, a balanced diet, mental stimulation, and social engagement, can reduce a person's risk of Alzheimer’s.
Heart Disease
Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), it caused 1.7 crore deaths in 2019 alone, with 85% of these deaths being attributed to heart attack and stroke.
For people who have a family history of heart disease, Dr Itolikar recommends undergoing preventive screenings and tests, including lipid profile tests to measure cholesterol levels, HBA1C, Thyroid Function Test, blood pressure monitoring for hypertension detection, and fasting blood glucose tests to evaluate diabetes risk.
Additionally, he advises getting an electrocardiogram (ECG) to assess heart rhythm abnormalities, an echocardiogram to understand heart structure and function, and stress tests to evaluate heart function under exertion.
Diabetes
The WHO suggests that about 42.2 crore people have diabetes worldwide, with 10.5 lakh deaths attributed to the condition each year.
Speaking with the OnlyMyHealth team, Dr Akash Shah, Consultant Pathologist at Neuberg Diagnostics, advises people to go for regular check-ups and to have discussions with healthcare providers, who can help tailor screenings and preventive measures based on familial risk factors.
"Recommended tests for individuals with a family history of diabetes include fasting blood glucose tests to measure glucose levels after an overnight fast, oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT) to evaluate how the body handles glucose after consuming a sugary drink, and HbA1c tests to assess average blood glucose levels over the past few months," the doctor shares.
He adds, "Monitoring blood pressure and cholesterol levels is important, as they are often associated with diabetes complications."
Also Read: What Does An Ideal Breakfast Look Like For Diabetics: Foods To Eat And Avoid
Cancer
Cancer occurs when cells in the body start to grow uncontrollably, forming a tumour. It can arise in any part of the body and sometimes, if left untreated, can spread to other organs.
According to the WHO, cancer is the second-leading cause of death globally.
One of its risk factors is family history of the disease, in which people either have the same environmental and lifestyle risk factors as a close relative with the condition or have an inherited faulty gene that increases the individual's risk of cancer.
According to Dr Shah, for people with a family history of cancer, recommendations for tests vary based on the specific cancer types prevalent in the family.
Common tests include mammograms for breast cancer, colonoscopies for colorectal cancer, pap smears for cervical cancer, and PSA tests for prostate cancer.
He says, "Genetic counselling and testing may be advised to identify inherited cancer predispositions. Additionally, lifestyle modifications such as maintaining a healthy weight, regular exercise, avoiding tobacco, and limiting alcohol intake can lower the overall cancer risk."
Also Read: Recognising the Red Flags: 20 Signs You Have an Autoimmune Disease
Autoimmune Disease
Autoimmune diseases are conditions in which the body's own immune system starts attacking healthy parts of the body as if they were foreign organisms.
Unfortunately, there are many different types of autoimmune diseases that require different sets of screening methods and treatment approaches.
For those with a family history of autoimmune diseases, comprehensive testing is crucial for early detection and management, says Dr Shah. Blood tests like antinuclear antibody (ANA) tests can detect general autoimmune activity. Specific antibody tests such as rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) aid in diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis. Tests for thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and anti-thyroid antibodies help diagnose autoimmune thyroid disorders like Hashimoto's thyroiditis.
Additionally, tests for specific autoimmune diseases based on family history, like lupus or multiple sclerosis, may be warranted.