How is chd inherited

A genetic variation mutation in a single gene can affect the likelihood of developing heart disease. For example, a genetic variation can change the way a particular protein works so that the body processes cholesterol differently, increasing the likelihood of blocked arteries. Genetic variations are passed from parents to children in the DNA of the eggs and sperm. When a family member is diagnosed with heart disease or a heart disorder, other family members are encouraged to undergo screening for risk factors and early stage disease that may not yet produce symptoms.

Inherited conditions that lead to arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death are particularly well understood. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy ARVC both can cause deadly arrhythmias.

The alternative model is a single gene defect modulated by random events. The recurrence risks for future siblings are 2 to 6 per cent, and for offspring are 1 to 10 per cent, but in a few families the recurrence and transmission risks may be much higher. Abstract Congenital heart disease occurs in approximately 1 per cent of liveborn children, but in a much higher percentage of those aborted spontaneously or stillborn.

Publication types Research Support, U. Gov't, P. Chromosomes are the structures in your cells that contain your genes. Genes contain the code for your traits such as eye color and blood type. Usually, there are 46 chromosomes in each cell of the body. Having too many or too few chromosomes leads to health problems and birth defects.

Structural defects of the chromosomes may sometimes occur. This is when a piece of a chromosome is missing. Or it may be duplicated. These also cause health problems. Problems with chromosomes that lead to genetic syndromes, such as Down syndrome, often result in a higher risk of heart problems in babies.

A chromosome analysis can be done from a small blood sample. The test looks for a chromosome problem in a child with a CHD. This can show if chromosomes caused the problem. There are about 70, genes on the 46 chromosomes in each cell of the body. Genes come in pairs. In each pair, 1 gene is inherited from the mother, and the other from the father. Genes help to control our traits.

And they also may cause health problems due to changes in the gene mutations. When a single gene is changed, a number of health problems may occur. Some of the genetic syndromes that have a higher rate of heart defects include:.