Paternal or maternal history of cardiovascular disease and the risk of cardiovascular disease in offspring. A systematic review and meta-analysis

M. Weijmans, Y. van der Graaf, J.B. Reitsma, F.L.J. Visseren*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Background Parental history of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is an established risk factor for the development of CVD in offspring. Several studies have suggested that a maternal transmission of CVD is more important for the development of CVD than paternal transmission. Methods A systematic search and meta-analysis were conducted, using the Medline and Embase databases. Included were cohort, case-control and cross-sectional studies (n = 26) focusing on the relation between paternal and maternal histories of cardiovascular disease and offspring CVD (myocardial infarction, stroke or cardiovascular mortality). The pooled estimates were calculated using a random-effects model. Results The pooled OR of CVD in offspring having a positive paternal history of CVD compared to not having a positive parental history was 1.91 (95% CI 1.56-2.34; I253%), the RR1.54 (95% CI 1.33-1.77; I296%). The OR of a maternal history was 2.16 (95% CI 1.71-2.74; I250%), RR1.59 (95% CI 1.38-1.84; I290%). Regarding different age limits, a maternal history < 50 years (3.15, 95% CI 2.18-4.55) and paternal history < 55 years (2.82, 95% CI 2.25-3.54) were associated with the highest cardiovascular risk. Additional analyses for sons demonstrated an estimate for a positive paternal history of 1.55 (95% CI 1.39-1.71; I274%) and 1.56 (95% CI 1.46-1.67; I216%) for maternal history. For daughters, the estimate for paternal history was 1.48 (95% CI 1.26-1.74; I273%) and 1.79 (95% CI 1.50-2.13; I268%) for maternal history. Conclusions The conferred risk of CVD in offspring was not substantially different between positive paternal and maternal histories of CVD, the highest risk was observed for maternal history < 50 years. Since a positive parental history of CVD involves an increased cardiovascular risk, parental history inquiry is useful in clinical practice. No distinction has to be made whether the affected parent is the mother or the father.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)409-416
Number of pages8
JournalInternational Journal of Cardiology
Volume179
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2015

Keywords

  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Cardiovascular events
  • Maternal history
  • Parental history
  • Paternal history

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