Is there a large genetic component to angina?

Yes Yes Yes: Family history is one of the major risk factors for heart disease. Unlike smoking, diabetes, elevated cholesterol, there is nothing that one can do about being born into a family where there is early coronary artery disease. However, knowing that a close relative has heart problems, should motivate one to give up smoking, get plenty of exercise, attain ideal body weight, glucose and cholesterol!

Yes and No: Family history of heart disease is very important in knowing your risk for heart disease. Angina, which is the pain one experiences when there is not enough blood flow to the heart is not, necessarily genetic. In other words, father and son could both have heart attacks, but there angina symptoms could be completely different. No one can tell you exactly how your 1st heart attack will feel. :-(.