Ischemic heart disease (IHD) is a complex condition that can have a genetic component, but it is not purely inherited in the same way that traits like eye color or height are. It is a multifactorial disease, meaning that both genetic and environmental factors contribute to its development. While there is evidence that certain genetic mutations can increase the risk for IHD, these are relatively rare. More commonly, a family history of heart disease may suggest a higher risk due to shared lifestyle factors, such as diet and exercise habits, rather than direct genetic inheritance. It is important to note that even if a person has a family history of IHD, lifestyle modifications can significantly reduce their risk. This includes maintaining a healthy diet, regular physical activity, not smoking, and managing stress. read more >>

Coronary heart disease, especially when it affects younger individuals, tends to cluster in families. ... Yet commonly occurring risk factors are not strongly inherited, and the familial aggregation of coronary heart diseas may not be attributable to familial resemblance in serum cholesterol and blood pressure levels.read more >>