Seven Diseases That Can Be Inherited from the Father

Hereditary diseases are often associated with the mother, but the father's genetics play an equally important role.

Science shows that certain diseases more frequently come from the father's side. Read on to learn which diseases children can inherit from their father—and how to respond in time.

Heart Disease

Men have a higher risk of cardiovascular diseases, and genetic factors are often passed from father to son or daughter. If your father had a heart attack, angina, or high blood pressure before the age of 55, your risk is twice as high, reports N1.

What to watch out for: Shortness of breath, chest pain, high cholesterol.

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Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer has a strong genetic component. If the father has or had the disease, the risk for sons is significantly higher—especially if the cancer appeared before age 65.

Prevention: Regular PSA tests starting at age 45, especially with a family history.

Autosomal Dominant Diseases

Some diseases are inherited when only one mutated gene is passed on—and here, the father plays a key role.

Examples include Huntington's disease, certain forms of epilepsy, and even neurofibromatosis.

Warning signs: Neurological symptoms, tics, loss of muscle control, skin changes.

Baldness

Androgenetic alopecia (baldness) is predominantly inherited from the father. In men, it can begin as early as their twenties, and paternal genes often determine the timing and extent of hair loss.

Observations: Receding hairline, thinning of hair on the scalp.

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Vision Disorders – Glaucoma and Color Blindness

Genetic factors from the father can influence the development of glaucoma (increased eye pressure) and color blindness (inability to distinguish colors), especially in male children.

Symptoms: Blurred vision, eye pain, problems with color perception.

Autism Spectrum Disorders and ADHD

Although not exclusively "male" conditions, research shows that paternal genes—especially from older fathers—may carry a higher likelihood of mutations that increase the risk of autism and attention disorders.

Early warning signs in children: Speech difficulties, avoiding eye contact, impulsiveness.

Hemophilia and Other X-Chromosome Genetic Mutations

Fathers do not pass the X chromosome to sons (they pass on the Y), but they do pass it to daughters. If the father carries a mutation on the X chromosome (such as for hemophilia), all his daughters will be carriers of that mutation.

Significance: While daughters may not show symptoms, they can pass them on.