There is an inherited component for many cases of cardiovascular disease, so you may be at risk if you have relatives with cardiovascular disease. Your APOE genotype (which is inherited from your parents) gives an indication of the risk of cardiovascular disease. However, there are many other genetic, environmental and hormonal factors that are likely to contribute to cardiovascular disease. Maintaining a heart healthy lifestyle reduces the risk for everyone, whether or not you have inherited an increased-risk genotype.