Back to the program

Family history and risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in a Korean national screening cohort

Przemyslaw KARDAS and Agh TAMAS

Family history represents a major inherited determinant of cardiometabolic diseases and is closely linked to shared genetic, behavioral, and environmental factors across generations. Despite its clinical importance, the impact of chronic disease family history on major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) has not been fully characterized in large-scale Korean populations.This study aimed to evaluate the association between family history of chronic diseases and long-term risk of MACE using a nationally representative health screening cohort, and to determine whether family history contributes independent prognostic value beyond conventional cardiovascular risk factors.Data were derived from 189,627 adults aged 40–65 years who underwent the 2009–2010 National Health Screening and were followed for approximately 10 years. Individuals with prior MACE, cancer, or early deaths were excluded. Multivariable Cox regression models estimated adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) for MACE by family history of cardiovascular disease, stroke, diabetes, and hypertension.Participants with any family history exhibited a significantly higher risk of MACE (aHR 1.18, 95% CI 1.13–1.24). Among subtypes, family history of stroke (aHR 1.24, 95% CI 1.16–1.33) and hypertension (aHR 1.13, 95% CI 1.06–1.21) were significant predictors, while cardiovascular disease and diabetes histories also showed elevated trends.These findings indicate that family history is an independent prognostic factor for MACE, reflecting inherited susceptibility and shared lifestyle patterns that influence long-term cardiovascular outcomes.Incorporating family history into cardiovascular risk assessment may enhance early identification of high-risk individuals and support more targeted preventive strategies within the Korean population.