Quantification of positive family history as a risk factor for ischaemic heart disease

ObjectiveThere is very little research regarding quantification of family history as a risk factor for ischaemic heart disease. This is especially so in the South Asian population, which tends to suffer from ischaemic heart disease at a much younger age, even after environmental and dietary factors are accounted for. This indicates a likely genetic basis. The aim of this study was to quantify family history as a risk factor. MethodsIt is a retrospective, cross-sectional study. Patients with family history and hypertension as the only cardiac risk factors were recruited in the study along with control subjects. Myocardial perfusion scintigraphy was used for the detection of myocardial ischemia. Results114 patients had hypertension and family history as the only risk factors. 64 of these patients had myocardial ischemia. 102 control patients were also recruited, of whom only 26 suffered from myocardial ischemia. The odds-ratio was thus calculated to be 3.69 (95% CI: 1.54-9.28, p=0.001). ConclusionsThese findings suggest a strong genetic basis for ischemic heart disease in the South Asian population. This needs to be taken into consideration when such patients present with non-specific cardiac symptoms.