HEARThrive - Module 10 - Genetics and Your Heart

Cardiologist Dr. William Davis says run away if your doctor blames your heart disease on genetics and tells you that it cannot be corrected.

Malcolm met with a cardiologist who felt he was at risk for heart disease because of his genetics. Malcolm argued that the terrible diet he ate over the years was probably a bigger risk factor.

Despite being identical twins, the weight difference between Malcolm and his twin brother increased significantly in their adult years. This illustrates how epigenetic factors (e.g. diet and exercise) can factor in despite our identical genetics.

In this video Malcolm is rehearsing his talk that he presented at the Collaborative Science Conference held in Las Vegas in March 2024. Have a listen as I document our heart disease experiences and the challenges we encountered.

This story illustrates how exploring your genetics can be an important way to safeguard your health by being proactive.

My friend developed a serious health problem that does have an association with one's genetics. Unfortunately, my friend never obtained genetic testing, but it's possible he was predisposed to this condition without knowing it.

Learn how your genes can influence many different health conditions. Self-Decode is a company that provides over 325 health risk reports based on a person's individual genetics.

Fatty liver is an example of a health problem that Self-Decode analyzes via genetics.

Did you know that something as specific as an abdominal hernia could be predicted by genetics?

Heart disease certainly runs in my family - grandfather, father, me and my twin brother. But do we blame genetics or do we blame diet and family traditions that persisted through the years?

According to Self-Decode, migraine headaches can be genetically influenced.

Malcolm explores some examples of health conditions deemed by Self-Decode to be typical, based on genetics. But his lifestyle influenced what actually happened.

Genetics might suggest your risk oh having high triglycerides is typical, but diet can change all that.

Malcolm reviews some examples of where Self-Decode predicts more favorable health outcomes.

Promethease is a very inexpensive way to gain access to your personal genetics and explore your heart health (and other health) related genes.

There is a gene called ApoE that is associated with a risk for Alzheimer's disease. Learn how you can discover which variant of this gene you have by using the Promethease tool.

Having high Lp(a), as discussed in Module 1 of HEARThrive, is believed to be associated with a higher risk of coronary heart disease. Certain genes may predispose you to having elevated Lp(a). Using the Promethease tool, you can learn whether you have the genetic polymorphisms for Lp(a).

Hemochromatosis is the result of retaining too much iron in your body. It can contribute to heart disease and other health problems. Learn how to discover whether you have the genes that could increase your chance of having hemochromatosis.

ApoB is associated with so-called "bad" LDL cholesterol and yet the merit of measuring ApoB is debated. Using Promethease, you can discover whether you have genetic variations that influence ApoB.

Here's a quick look at genetic variations that could predispose you to AFib (i.e. Atrial Fibrillation).

There is an important biochemical reaction in your body called methylation. This process, which can affect many health conditions, in influenced by variations you inherit in your MTHFR gene. Your ability to convert (or methylate) homocysteine to methionine (you want this) is affected by the MTHFR gene. You could end up having high homocysteine, which is possibly going to raise your risk for cardiovascular disease (e.g. heart attack, stroke). Can you do anything about this? Yes! (Watch the video).

This video on Homocysteine appeared previously in HEARThrive Module 1 on blood work. It is being repeated here in Module 10 because homocysteine tends to be ignored or under-rated. Be sure to get your homocysteine tested. If it's high, take the steps to lower it (as shown in the previous lesson). If you value your cardiovascular health, do not ignore homocysteine. 

Your genes may play a role in your health and in your cardiovascular risk, but you have the ability to manage your diet and lifestyle in ways that can transcend or rise above what could happen to you. In this lesson Malcolm illustrates 10 examples of how epigenetic factors played a role and contributed to his heart disease even though his genetic risk was actually lower than average.