Throughout this American Heart Month, we’ve covered many of the symptoms and solutions for kids and adults who suffer from heart disease. Often, a person’s lifestyle contributes to the problem. But for some, genetics play a big role, especially for those with rare heart disease.

Dr. Jacob Shani is the chairman of the Heart & Vascular Institute at Maimonides Medical Center, and joined “News All Day” with more on this topic.

Shani suggests checking with your family, since that genetics play a big role in whether you are at risk for rare heart disease.

Possible symptoms of rare heart disease, which are also common to most heart diseases, include shortness of breath, heart palpitations, dizziness and sweating of feet or ankles. For children, they may complain about a pain in their chest or developmental delays may show a problem.

Shani says that identifying the disease is the first step toward treatment. Treatment could include medication or a pacemaker. He is optimistic about the future of treatment as well.

For more information, go to Maimo.org.