Do parental coronary heart disease risk factors (non-modifiable) effect their young ones?

ABSTRACTObjective:To study the differences between the lipid profiles of the subjects whose parents are having known non-modifiable risk factors such as obesity, hypertension (HTN), myocardial infarction and diabetes, and compare them with the lipid profiles of the subjects whose parents are not having those risk factors.Methods:A total of 402 subjects were recruited to this study. A detailed questionnaire which included information on the past medical history, height, weight, blood pressure, physical activity, smoke, alcohol, family history of coronary heart disease, HTN, diabetics and obesity. Basic demographic data and dietary habits were completed by all participants. Blood samples were obtained from all subjects after 14 h. Lipid profiles were analyzed using automated analyzer. The results were analyzed using SPSS software packages.Results:The mean body mass index of the population was well below the cut-off value of obesity (>24.5 kg/m2) and high risk of future cardiovascular disorder (CVD) events in this age group. The mean levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG) and TC/high density lipoprotein (HDL) were less than the risk levels indicative of future CVD events according to the ATP III cut-off values. However the mean HDL level in our population was slightly greater than the cut-off value while the mean low density lipoprotein level was almost similar to the risk level. Differences were observed when the subjects without history of maternal obesity were compared with subjects with history of maternal obesity. The greater percentage of subjects who are having risk levels of body mass index, TC, low density lipoprotein, TG, and TC/HDL indicated that maternal obesity contributed to the greater susceptibility of developing CVD risk in their offspring.Conclusions:Advancing age may result in changes that could be atherogenic in the future. Such atherogenic changes have already initiated when the subjects are about 21 years old. The incidence of atherogenic changes is far greater when mothers who are having any of the risk factors such as obesity, diabetes, HTN and myocardial infarction than that fathers who are having similar risk factors.