Family history risk factors: before what ages in males and females?

Family history risk factors: before what ages in males and females?

• A. Before 55 in males; before 65 in females
• B. Before 65 in males; before 55 in females
• C. After 55 in males; after 65 in females
• D. Before 50 in both

Answer: (A)

Premature risk from family history occurs when a close relative develops cardiovascular disease at an unusually young age. The standard threshold used to flag this risk is a first-degree male relative having disease before 55, or a first-degree female relative before 65. That’s why the correct statement is the one that says before 55 in males and before 65 in females. The other options either swap ages between genders, describe onset after those ages (not premature), or use an age threshold that isn’t the accepted standard.

Premature risk from family history occurs when a close relative develops cardiovascular disease at an unusually young age. The standard threshold used to flag this risk is a first-degree male relative having disease before 55, or a first-degree female relative before 65. That’s why the correct statement is the one that says before 55 in males and before 65 in females. The other options either swap ages between genders, describe onset after those ages (not premature), or use an age threshold that isn’t the accepted standard.