Early Cardiac Events Pose Major and Diverse Risks in Close Relatives
A study investigating a consecutive series of 230 patients with premature onset of heart attacks, strokes, angina or peripheral artery disease and a comparison group shows that family history of early onset cardiac events is a major and independent risk factor in close relatives.
Family history of early cardiac events in first degree relatives such as a parent or sibling is a major risk factor, especially for premature events. Currently, data on risks in close relatives of patients with a family history of premature heart attacks, chronic stable angina or peripheral vascular disease are sparse.