Family history of heart disease tied to early cardiac damage in adolescents: Study - Video

Heart health may be more inherited than we think. A groundbreaking study of over 1,500 British adolescents has revealed that having parents with cardiometabolic diseases—such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol-can increase the risk of early heart damage in their children before they even reach adulthood. Published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, the research was conducted by a global team from the University of Eastern Finland, the Universities of Bristol and Exeter, and Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in the U.S.

The study drew on participants from the “Children of the 90s” birth cohort at the University of Bristol—a project that has tracked thousands of individuals from birth to adulthood. Specifically, 1,595 adolescents were monitored from age 17 to 24 through repeated echocardiography, a high-resolution imaging method that measures heart structure and function over time. One in three participants reported a parental history of cardiometabolic disease, making this the largest and longest-running echocardiography study in healthy youth worldwide.

At the start of the study, just 2.4% of all adolescents showed signs of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH)—a form of heart muscle enlargement that signals early structural strain. By age 24, that number had nearly tripled to 6.5%. Among those with a family history of cardiometabolic disease, the rate quadrupled, compared with only a two-fold increase among those without family risk. Even after accounting for lifestyle factors like diet, physical activity, smoking, and body composition, a 20% higher odds of progressive heart damage remained for those with inherited risk.

Blood tests revealed that elevated glucose levels explained about 10% of this long-term relationship, linking subtle metabolic changes to structural heart changes. “Our findings confirm that heart disease risk begins earlier than we thought,” said study author Dr. Douglas Corsi. “Parents who manage their blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar can pass on more than good habits—they can pass on healthy hearts.”

According to Dr. Andrew Agbaje of the University of Eastern Finland, adolescence represents a “critical preventive window.” Acting in the 20 years between early adulthood and midlife, he says, could significantly reduce premature heart attacks later on. The message is clear: family history isn’t destiny—but it’s a powerful warning to start heart care early.

REFERENCE: Corsi, D. R & Agbaje, A. O. (2025) Parents' History of Hypertension, Diabetes, and Dyslipidemia with Offspring Cardiac Damage - A 24-Year Longitudinal Study. European Journal of Preventive Cardiology. DOI: 10.1093/eurjpc/zwaf744. https://academic.oup.com/eurjpc/advance-article/doi/10.1093/eurjpc/zwaf744/8339954