Coming from a large family, especially one with plenty of older brothers, may increase your chance of heart disease – one of many unusual risk factors reported by the Daily Mail.
Being born after several brothers means being exposed to more testosterone in the womb, which in turn leads to lower levels of testosterone as an adult. Low levels of the male hormone have been clearly linked to a greater risk of heart disease.
Whether brothers or sisters, having more siblings also increases your chances of picking up the bug helicobacter pylori. This common infection is often symptomless but can increase inflammation inside the body, leading to a greater risk of heart attacks.
Because the bug spreads through saliva, having lots of brothers and sisters – and their germs – around while growing up raises the odds of catching it.
Even only children can’t escape unusual risk factors. Going to bed after midnight, getting up too quickly in the morning, living alone… even having creased earlobes have all been linked to an increased risk of heart disease.