Doctors say one simple question at the Christmas dinner table could help save your life
Christmas is a time for food, laughter and family stories. But according to heart specialists, it is also the perfect moment to uncover hidden heart health risks that may be quietly running in your family.
Heart disease remains the number one cause of death for both men and women in the United States. Yet many people live with serious heart problems without any warning signs — until a sudden emergency occurs.
Now, cardiologists say holiday family gatherings offer a rare and powerful opportunity to protect your heart for the future.
Why Heart Problems Often Go Undetected
Many dangerous heart conditions develop silently over time. People may look and feel healthy while living with:
Very high cholesterol
High blood pressure
Diabetes
Dangerous heart rhythm disorders
“These problems often have no symptoms at all until they trigger a heart attack, stroke or sudden collapse,” experts warn.
That is why family history is one of the most important — and often overlooked — clues to heart health.
Cardiologist’s Tip of the Day: Ask About Family Heart History
According to Dr Carolyn Lam, senior consultant cardiologist at the National Heart Centre Singapore and professor at Duke-National University of Singapore, there is one essential question everyone should ask during Christmas gatherings:
👉 “Has anyone in our family ever had heart problems?”
“Christmas is magical for this conversation,” Dr Lam told TODAY.com.
“When else do you have three or four generations sitting together at the same table? This is your living, breathing family health archive.”
What Doctors Mean by “Heart Problems”
When cardiologists talk about heart disease in families, they are referring to serious events such as:
Heart attacks
Strokes
Heart failure
Sudden collapse or sudden cardiac death
Needing a heart stent or bypass surgery
These events are especially worrying when they happen at a young age, defined as:
Before 55 in men
Before 65 in women
“These are red flags for inherited heart conditions,” Dr Lam explains.
Why Family Heart History Matters So Much
Dr Lam describes family history as “a genetic roadmap to your heart’s future.”
If heart disease runs in your family, you may have inherited genes linked to:
High cholesterol
Abnormal heart rhythms
Early-onset heart disease
But genes are only part of the story.
Families also tend to share the same lifestyle habits, including:
Eating similar foods
Exercising — or not exercising — in similar ways
Experiencing similar stress patterns
As a result, conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity often cluster within families.
Warning Signs You Should Not Ignore
After speaking with relatives, certain patterns should prompt a visit to your doctor. These include:
Several close relatives with heart attacks or strokes at a young age
Sudden unexplained deaths in the family
Family members with extremely high cholesterol levels (above 300)
Heart attacks occurring despite a healthy lifestyle
Stories of relatives collapsing “out of nowhere” while appearing healthy
A strong family history of high blood pressure or diabetes
“These stories are never just coincidence,” cardiologists warn.
How to Start the Conversation Gently at Christmas
Talking about health does not have to feel awkward or frightening.
Dr Lam suggests starting with gratitude, saying something like:
“I’m so grateful we’re all here together and healthy enough to enjoy this beautiful meal.”
Then gently add:
“Because I love you all and want us together for many more Christmases, can we talk about something important? Has anyone in our family ever had heart problems?”
This approach keeps the conversation loving, respectful and positive.
Turn Family Knowledge Into a New Year’s Resolution
Once the conversation begins, Dr Lam encourages families to act together.
Simple shared goals can include:
Getting blood pressure checked
Testing cholesterol and blood sugar levels
Going for regular walks as a family
Eating healthier meals together
“Next year, we’re all going to take better care of our hearts,” she suggests.
What to Do If You Discover Red Flags
If concerning family history comes to light, experts advise booking a doctor’s appointment early in the New Year.
Ask your GP about checking:
Blood pressure
Cholesterol levels
Blood sugar
Heart rhythm if needed
The good news is that most heart risk factors are treatable, especially when found early.
A Powerful Message for the Holidays
“We can actually change our heart health destiny when we know our family history,” Dr Lam says.
This Christmas, one honest conversation could lead to many more Christmases together — healthier, longer and stronger.
Sources
TODAY.com – Expert Tip of the Day
Dr Carolyn Lam, Senior Consultant Cardiologist, National Heart Centre Singapore
Duke-National University of Singapore
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