Hereditary health factors

A 25-year-old woman presents to the emergency department complaining of acute onset of shortness of breath and pleuritic pain. She had been in her usual state of health until 2 days prior when she noted that her left leg was swollen and red. Her only medication was oral contraceptives. Family history was significant for a history of "blood clots" in multiple members of the maternal side of her family. Physical examination demonstrates an anxious woman with stable vital signs. The left lower extremity demonstrates erythema and edema and is tender to touch. Ultrasound reveals a deep vein thrombosis in the left lower extremity chest computed tomography scan confirms the presence of pulmonary emboli. What are the likely risk factors in this woman—hereditary, acquired, or both What therapy is indicated acutely What are the long-term therapy options How long should she be treated Should this individual use oral contraceptives ... 

Your physical well-being will depend on hereditary factors, where you live, how well you have maintained your health, and your commitment to your future health. 

Women with or at risk for hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer should begin annual endometrial biopsy starting at age 35. To include examination for cancers of the mouth, thyroid, testicles, skin, lymph nodes, and ovaries, as well as health counseling about tobacco, sun exposure, diet and nutrition, risk factors, sexual practices, and environmental and occupational exposures. From The American Cancer Society. ... 

The strong evidence for hereditary susceptibility to diabetes leads many health professionals to believe that for diabetes-prone families, the potential to become diabetic is present in all members at the time of their birth. Whether or not they develop clinical signs of the disease depends upon their exposure to factors which may precipitate or aggravate the disease. If this concept is correct, then heredity is the single cause of diabetes. Therefore, it is important to... 

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