Is COPD Hereditary?

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a lung disorder that usually develops due to nonhereditary risk factors, such as smoking. It is also linked to a heritable genetic disorder, alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AAT deficiency). However, although people diagnosed with COPD are tested for this condition, it is rare to develop the disease in this way.

COPD causes the inflammation and thickening of lung tissue. Less oxygen gets into your body, making it difficult to breathe. Types of COPD include chronic bronchitis or emphysema. People diagnosed with COPD usually have symptoms of both.

This article will discuss how a hereditary condition can increase your risk of COPD, other risk factors such as smoking, and what you can do to reduce your risk.

Hereditary Risk for COPD

COPD usually develops due to irritant exposure or other noninheritable risk factors, so it is not considered a hereditary disease. However, an inherited mutation in a gene that makes a protein, alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT), can cause COPD. This condition is called AAT deficiency.

The Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) guidelines recommend that even though AAT deficiency is rare, all people with COPD should be tested for it. A blood test checks for levels of AAT, and a genetic blood test may follow to confirm the condition.

The liver makes AAT proteins. These proteins are released into your blood to protect your tissues from the inflammation caused by an infection.

With an AAT mutation, your liver cannot release enough of these proteins into the blood. For some people, no proteins are released at all. Your lungs and other organs are not protected and become damaged. This is how COPD can develop. In addition, because AAT proteins build up in the liver, it can cause liver damage.

AAT deficiency is rare. About 1 in 3,500 people in the United States have it. But it is underdiagnosed, which can cause a delay in care. If you have persistent lung or liver problems, ask your doctor to test for the mutation. In people with AAT deficiency, signs of lung disease start to appear between the ages of 30 and 40.

Smoking

Smoking is the highest risk factor for developing COPD. Cigarette smoke damages the air sacs, airways, and lining of your lungs. It also hinders lung development in children. 

Both smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke are triggers for COPD exacerbations, or flare-ups (when symptoms worsen). One in 4 Americans with COPD never smoked cigarettes themselves. However, 8 out of 10 deaths from COPD are related to smoking.

In people with AAT deficiency who smoke, signs of COPD appear 10 years earlier than in those who don't smoke.

Other Risk Factors

In addition to smoking, exposure to secondhand smoke, and AAT deficiency, there are other risk factors for COPD. They include:

• Air pollution
• Having a job in which you are exposed to chemicals, dust, and fumes
• History of childhood lung infections
• Asthma
  

Prevention

You can reduce your risks of COPD by avoiding its major risk factors.

Quit Smoking

The best way to prevent COPD is to quit smoking. If you don’t smoke, do not start the habit. However, it can be challenging to quit smoking. But there are many programs and products to help you stop. The first step is to talk to your healthcare provider about your options.

Avoid Secondhand Smoke

If you do not smoke yourself or are trying to quit, do everything you can to stay away from secondhand smoke. This can include:

• Make your home a smoke-free environment.
• Learn about your rights to a smoke-free environment at work and in public spaces.
• Help make the air in your local community healthy.
  

Avoid Chemicals

It will be hard to eliminate exposure if your job involves working directly with hazardous chemicals. But there are still steps you can take to limit exposure. They are:

• Dispose of waste properly.
• Immediately report any water leaks.
• Know and follow safe handling procedures for hazardous materials.
• Always wear the correct protective equipment if you must handle dangerous materials.
  

When to See a Doctor

How do you know you might have COPD? It may be challenging to recognize because symptoms are sometimes mild. Older adults may assume that getting tired from everyday activities is just another part of aging. But shortness of breath can be a major symptom of lung disease.

See your healthcare provider if you have:

• Shortness of breath during everyday activities
• Chronic cough or wheezing
• Fatigue
• Repeated lung infections
• Coughing up a lot of mucus

In addition, when you have COPD, you need to be on the lookout for signs of infection. They include:

• Increased coughing or shortness of breath
• Coughing up growing amounts of mucus (yellow or green)
• Chills or fever of over 101 degrees
• Increased fatigue
• Headaches or sinus congestion/tenderness

If you have any of these symptoms, call your healthcare provider.

Summary

Although COPD usually develops due to smoking or other nonhereditary risk factors, alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency, an inherited gene mutation, can increase your risk of developing COPD.

AAT proteins are made in your liver and protect your organs from inflammation when your body gets an infection. The gene mutation that causes AAT deficiency prevents your liver from releasing these proteins. During an infection, your lungs and other organs are unprotected and become damaged.

Additional risk factors for COPD include smoking, secondhand smoke, air pollution, exposure to chemicals, and a history of lung infections. If you smoke, quitting can significantly reduce your COPD risk. If your job involves handling chemicals, always wear the proper protective gear while doing so.

A Word From Verywell

Having any condition that impacts your breathing can be overwhelming. While COPD has no cure, it can be managed. Your healthcare provider will help you create a treatment plan that works for you and make any adjustments as needed.

The most substantial risk factor for COPD is smoking. When you quit smoking, you can experience a considerable improvement in lung health and lessen COPD exacerbations. Remember to eat a healthy diet, get regular exercise, and avoid COPD triggers.