question about heredity

[horsenaround]

I'm a 22 year old female, 117lbs. I was tested at 17 years old and had borderline high cholesterol, i haven't had it checked since. My dad has had coronary artery disease since he was 21 years old with multiple minor heart attacks and 7 stents. This disease runs in the family but so far has only affected the men, I know my dad has it and my grandpa which is his dad also has it and has had it since he was real young like my dad too and has had a few by-pass surgeries. Also, they are both over weight. What I was wondering is, what is my risk for getting the disease also, am i at risk since i'm a female and not over weight?

[Gopinathpc]

Heridetary plays an important role in assessing overall risks for CAD.
I think this probably is the single most key risk factor.
However you can delay CAD by following few things like
not smoking,good exercise, maintain healthy cholesterol and BP, cutting down
on fats, losing weight if overweight.
You can also get a calcium score by getting EBCT done. This is a non invasive
and claims to predict CAD 10 or even 15 years down the road.

[anacyde]

I would be checking your cholesterol yearly and taking steps to modify all other risk factors.  Family history is not a guarantee, but it is a strong predictor.  Since you cannot modify your genes, you have to modify in other places.  Know your numbers, maintain a healthy weight, exercise regularly, eat healthy, do not smoke or live/work where secondhand smoke is present.