Your genetic background and cultural identity are both important, but they’re only part of the story.

In recent years, many people curious about their heritage have done at-home DNA tests such as those sold by 23andMe or Ancestry. By analyzing variations in your DNA, the tests can reveal where your distant ancestors may have lived, providing clues to your racial and ethnic heritage. These results are usually presented in percentages by geographic location — for example, Western Europe, Northern Africa, Central America, and Southern Asia.

But does that information reveal any hints about your risk of cardiovascular disease? In the United States, certain racial and ethnic groups face a higher risk of dying from heart disease than others. The latest statistics from the American Heart Association show the highest risk among blacks. Non-Hispanic whites are second, with the lowest risk seen among Hispanics (see “Ethnic and race categories in the United States”).

Inherited vs. acquired risks

Still, diversity within different racial groups means that genetic traits common to some groups can’t be generalized to an entire race. For example, two black people may be more genetically different from one another than either of them is from a white person. And non-genetic factors can have powerful effects, says Harvard Medical School professor Dr. Elliott Antman, a cardiologist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital.

“A person of any race can inherit a low-risk genetic profile but then grow up in an environment without access to healthy foods or safe places to exercise,” he says. These and other socioeconomic factors may also induce a chronic state of stress that is difficult to quantify but is now increasingly recognized as an important risk factor for heart disease.

Blood pressure: An added risk for blacks?

One possible explanation for the higher heart disease risk among blacks living in this country may be a genetic difference that predisposes them to high blood pressure. Compared with whites, blacks tend to be more salt sensitive, which means their bodies tend to hold on to sodium and water. “That may be an evolutionary survival advantage when you’re living in a hot, dry climate, such as in Africa,” says Dr. Antman. But in America, with its cooler climate (and widely available high-sodium foods), it’s a disadvantage, he adds. Extra sodium and water raise blood volume, which in turn raises blood pressure.

The Hispanic paradox

As the largest ethnic minority in the United States, Hispanic Americans are a fairly diverse group, although nearly two-thirds are of Mexican origin. Despite having higher rates of obesity and diabetes, Hispanics living in America are about 25% less likely to die of heart disease than non-Hispanic whites. This so-called Hispanic paradox is not fully understood, although some experts believe that their lower smoking rates could be a factor. Just under 11% of Hispanics smoke cigarettes, compared with about 16% among non-Hispanics.

Asians: East vs. South

People of Asian descent are a small but growing population in this country. Those from East Asia (mostly from China, Japan, and Korea) have lower rates of cardiovascular disease than other Americans. In contrast, those with South Asian roots — from Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka — tend to have higher rates. The reason may stem from a genetic tendency to accumulate fat in the belly, which is dangerous for the heart.

While it’s helpful to be aware of these racial and ethnic risk factors, your heritage is just one of many factors that influence your heart’s health, says Dr. Antman. Focus more on the factors you can change, such as eating a low-sodium diet, avoiding tobacco, staying active, and maintaining a healthy weight.

Image: © JohnnyGreig/Getty Images

Disclaimer:
As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review on all articles. No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.