If your parents have had an MI, does it mean you will have one?
Genetics and Ethnicity If your parents have had an MI, does it mean you will have one? Likely the answer is no; research has shown necessarily doesn’t say you will but have found a link among ethnicity in Europeans, South Asians, Southeast Asians, and Arabs (Joseph et al., 2016). Specifically, there’s no genetic link to an MI but rather coronary artery disease (CAD) which can lead to MI. However modifiable risk factors, such as a healthy lifestyle, prove to be the most significant way to decrease the risk of an MI. Self-Care After a patient experiences an MI, usually, they are set up to attend a Cardiac rehabilitation program. This program helps the patient get back to a healthy lifestyle while incorporating changes to prevent an MI in the future. Advanced practice providers should closely watch patients with hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia. Research has shown if a patient has two out three diagnoses they are at higher risk for a heart attack (Avoiding, 2005). Encouraging physical activity, a healthy diet, and smoking cessation are critical factors in patient education. Studies suggest educating patients on doing at least thirty minutes of activity a day such as walking, gardening, or housework also to cut out fast food that is high in fat and sugary drinks (Advance et al., 2005). Reference Arcangelo, V. P., Peterson, A. M., Wilbur, V. & Reinhold, J. A. (Eds.). (2017). Pharmacotherapeutics for advanced practice: A practical approach (4th ed.). Ambler, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Avoiding heart attacks and strokes. [electronic resource]: don’t be a victim – protect yourself. (2005). Geneva: World Health Organization, c2005. Huether, S. E., & McCance, K. L. (2017). Understanding pathophysiology (6th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Mosby. Joseph, P. G., Pare, G., Asma, S., Engert, J. C., Yusuf, S., & Anand, S. S. (2016). Clinical Research: Impact of a Genetic Risk Score on Myocardial Infarction Risk Across Different Ethnic Populations. Canadian Journal Of Cardiology, 321440-1446. doi:10.1016/j.cjca.2016.05.014 Nicolai, J., Müller, N., Noest, S., Wilke, S., Schultz, J., Gleißner, C. A., & … Bieber, C. (2018). To change or not to change – That is the question: A qualitative study of lifestyle changes following acute myocardial infarction. Chronic Illness, 14(1), 25-41. doi:10.1177/1742395317694700]]>