Written By: Prerna Mittra | Published : September 27, 2024 9:16 PM IST
Medically Verified By: Dr Kayan Siodia, consultant interventional cardiologist at S L Raheja Hospital -- a Fortis associate
There is a need for increased awareness about these heart diseases. (Photo: Freepik)
Inherited heart diseases: At a time when there is so much importance on heart health, there are many aspects that remain unknown. Doctors insist on timely health check-ups to prevent deaths caused by sudden cardiac arrest. With cardiovascular diseases on the rise, people ought to make many positive lifestyle changes to make their quality of life better. It begins with arming themselves with the right kind of information pertaining to the heart, such as that of the risk of inherited heart diseases.
According to Dr Kayan Siodia, consultant interventional cardiologist at S L Raheja Hospital -- a Fortis associate, inherited heart diseases are genetically determined and transmitted from parents to their children. "They are a heterogenous group comprising structural disorders, rhythm disorders and syndromic diseases. They are a common cause of sudden cardiac arrest, especially in young individuals," the doctor said, adding that there is a need for increased awareness about these diseases.
A few common conditions are listed here.
Dr Siodia said HCM is characterised by thickening of the heart muscle. It can lead to obstruction of blood flow in the left ventricular outflow tract and arrhythmias. "This condition is quite common and can cause sudden cardiac arrest, especially in young individuals during exercise or sports."
This condition involves the enlargement of the heart due to weakening of the heart muscle, impairing its ability to pump blood effectively. It can lead to chronic heart failure.
According to the doctor, this condition affects the heart's electrical system, leading to arrhythmias, particularly in the right ventricle.
A genetic condition, it causes high cholesterol levels that increases the risk of early heart disease, the doctor warned. There are two forms -- heterozygous, in which there is only one gene defect, and homozygous, in which both the genes are defective. "Heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia is more common occurring in about 1 in 250 individuals," Dr Siodia said.
It is a disorder affecting the heart's electrical system, leading to potentially life-threatening arrhythmias.
A connective tissue disorder that can result in aortic dilation and dissection, it affects cardiovascular health. It can get diagnosed early on, because of the typical facial and body features.
A disorder that affects the heart's electrical system, it leads to an increased risk of life-threatening arrhythmias and cardiac arrest, especially at the time of fever.
They are structural heart problems that present at birth, and can have a genetic basis, said the doctor.
