NETA Personal Trainer Practice Exam

What is a significant risk factor related to family history for cardiovascular disease?

1. Heart attack occurring after age 65 in mothers

2. Heart attack, stents, or bypass before age 55 in fathers

3. Sudden cardiac death before age 75 in relatives

4. Presence of high cholesterol after age 50

The correct answer is: Heart attack, stents, or bypass before age 55 in fathers

The significant risk factor related to family history for cardiovascular disease is indicated by instances of heart attack, stent placements, or bypass surgeries occurring before the age of 55 in fathers. This age threshold is considered critical; early onset cardiovascular events strongly indicate a genetic predisposition to heart disease. When a father experiences such serious cardiovascular issues at a younger age, it serves as a warning signal, suggesting that family members may also be at an increased risk for similar conditions. Genetics plays a crucial role in the development of cardiovascular disease, and this particular timeline makes it more pertinent. While factors such as heart attacks after 65 or the presence of high cholesterol after age 50 can indicate cardiovascular problems, they are not as strongly linked to hereditary risk as those incidents occurring earlier in life, particularly in first-degree relatives like fathers. Sudden cardiac death before age 75 in relatives is significant but is more of a broader risk factor rather than specific to cardiovascular disease and does not provide the same level of detail regarding hereditary risk when compared to early occurrences of events like heart attacks.