While there are strong links between asthma and genetics, not everyone with a family history of asthma will develop it. Asthma can also occur in people with no family history of the condition.

Asthma is a chronic (lifelong) lung condition that often runs in families. While it’s possible to develop asthma at any age, children of parents with asthma are at an increased risk of getting it when they’re younger.

While you can’t change your genes, there are still steps you can take to help manage your asthma. Some steps may help lower your risk of developing it as an adult.

Read on to learn more about the link between asthma and genetics, other risk factors, and possible ways of lowering the risk of developing the condition.

Genetic predisposition is one of the strongest risk factors for developing asthma.

While no one is born with asthma, you may be born with genes that dictate whether you’ll get it as an infant or young child.

In fact, it’s estimated that children are around 3 to 6 times more likely to develop asthma if they have a parent with the condition.

According to Asthma + Lung UK, the chance of developing asthma if a parent has the condition is slightly greater if the mother has asthma. However, you may inherit the condition if one or both parents have asthma,

However, there’s no guarantee that a genetic disposition will automatically mean you get asthma.

In some cases, shared environmental factors may contribute to asthma running in families.

Even if asthma doesn’t run in your family, it’s still possible to develop this condition at some point in your lifetime.

Other possible causes and risk factors for asthma development include:

  • a personal or family history of allergies
  • a history of autoimmune conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis
  • hay fever or eczema
  • being born prematurely before 37 weeks
  • obesity
  • smoking or frequent exposure to cigarette smoke
  • regular exposure to air pollution, gasses, and chemical fumes

Lung infections, especially respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), at a younger age may also increase your risk of developing asthma as you get older.

Learn about adult-onset asthma.

Asthma triggers

It’s also possible to enter remission from asthma at some point in your life, only for your symptoms to return later. These are often linked to asthma triggers, which may lead to short-term or long-term symptoms depending on the severity.

Common triggers for asthma flare-ups include:

  • outdoor allergens, such as trees, grass, and weeds
  • upper respiratory tract infections (viruses)
  • air pollution or smoke
  • weather changes, particularly extreme cold and dryness
  • pet dander
  • mold
  • chemical odors
  • dust mites
  • cockroaches
  • food additives, especially sulfites
  • beta-blocker medications
  • stress
  • exercise

Learn more about common asthma triggers.

It may not be possible to prevent all cases of asthma. However, you can help manage risk factors for this chronic condition later in life by:

  • quitting smoking and avoiding cigarette smoke
  • avoiding occupational hazards that expose you to airborne chemicals and fumes
  • managing stress
  • maintaining a moderate weight
  • avoiding allergens and other triggers as much as possible

Your doctor can help you identify factors that may be triggering or worsening your symptoms.

If you have a family history of asthma, you can contact your doctor for information about the likelihood that you’ll develop the condition.

Not everybody with a family history will develop asthma. However, your doctor can assess your risk, including looking at environmental factors that increase the likelihood of developing asthma.

You should also contact your doctor if you have an asthma diagnosis and have concerns about your current treatment plan or exposure to triggers.

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For many people, asthma may be genetic. You’re much more likely to develop asthma if you have one or both parents with the condition.

In other cases, asthma may be caused by environmental factors. Allergies, smoke exposure, and stress are some possible causes. Some people may develop asthma later in life.

If you have asthma, it’s important to keep track of your asthma symptoms and talk with your doctor for a suitable treatment plan. Your doctor can also help identify any triggers that may be worsening your symptoms.