ORLANDO, Fl – April 10 is the day we celebrate our siblings. It’s the day we give thanks for always having a partner in crime or just someone in the family to blame.
More than 80% of children in the U.S. grow up with a sibling. Whatever your relationship is, it’s important to know that when it comes to your health, what happens to them, could happen to you.
And although your DNA doesn’t have to determine your medical future, knowing your risk can be a lifesaver.
Siblings don’t just share the same eyes and hair color. There are less visible traits that are inherited, like a greater likelihood you’ll develop heart disease or have a stroke.
“Big time hereditary and that’s very important to educate all the way from primary care physicians to the whole population,” said Dr. Ricardo Hanel, a neurosurgeon at Baptist Health.
A study out of Johns Hopkins found that sibling history is a better predictor of a person’s likelihood of developing coronary heart disease than a parental history.
Another study found if you have a brother who had a heart attack by age 55 or a sister by age 65 then you are at greater risk yourself. Also, be aware if your sibling had a brain aneurysm.
“I tell my patients you just got a 50% bonus because mom has an aneurysm or your sister has an aneurysm,” Hanel said.
According to the American Diabetes Association, when one twin develops Type 2 diabetes, the other twin has a 3 in 4 risk of also developing it.
To lower your risk, it’s important to keep active. For each hour spent watching the TV or working at your desk, it increases the odds of getting Type 2 diabetes by 22%.
And what about cancer? If your brother is diagnosed with prostate cancer, then you’re two to three times as likely to develop it.
Other cancers that run in families include breast, bowel and ovarian cancers.
When it comes to Alzheimer’s disease, researchers at Harvard say having a sibling diagnosed with it increases your risk by 30%. Also, if your sibling takes a genetic test for health reasons, you should not rely on their results. They are only 50% genetically identical. There is still 50% you will not know.
Doctors say it’s important to know your family medical history, but remember, your genes don’t have to be your destiny.
WATCH: The Morning Show anchors celebrate their siblings