Doctor opinion only please, heart problem genetic?

My husband's father %26 his fathers 2 siblings all had abdominal aortic aneurysms(sp?). My husband's father was 63, his aunt is about 78; his uncle was about 72 when diagnosed. My husband had a stomach ultrasound approximately 4 years ago. There were no signs of an abdominal aortic aneursym. His mother and her side of the family have no abdominal or any kind of aneurysms. What are my husband's chances of getting this?
Answer:
Please post your question at this website as well, so that experts can answer your question in a timely manner:http://www.clinicalanswers.nhs.uk/index.All family members (Siblings) are to be screened out.

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Father's side is dominant, 50% or 100%Mother's side seems 0%. His chances of having it seem 1 in 4 (25%) or 1 in 2 (50%) at worst.He can improve his odds by doing things to keep his blood pressure down, not doing heavy lifting which temporarily pushes up the blood pressure, and stretch a weak part of the blood vessel.. Higher blood pressure can aggravate it. He needs a sedate, mellow life style to improve his longevity. We all do.He should also eat a heart healthy diet, since that diet is good for all blood vessels.My father had an AAA, too, but did not die from it. His uncle died from one at about 77. At 54, I do not show any signs of an aneurysm there.

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AAA's are not inherited in a "Mendelian" fashion, meaning you can't state as the above poster did - 50% or 100%. AAAs have multifactorial inheritance, which the above poster correctly alluded to in modifying lifestyle. The biggies that your husband can do to decrease his chances are:
- don't smoke!
- keep his cholesterol LOW (LDL%26lt;100) do this with dietary modification and medication if necessary
- continue routine surveillance with abdominal ultrasound at the interval recommended by his physician
- report any symptoms of abdominal pain or of a pulsating mass in the abdomen.
- be on the look out for other vascular problems, such as poor circulation in his legs (causing pain when walking - "claudication")Truth is - only time will tell. We don't have a crystal ball - so have him live a healthy life %26 just be on the lookout for it.

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