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Heart disease: Genetic risk score may help earlier prediction.
| New research shows that scanning people's DNA profiles to compile a genetic risk score can improve the prediction of heart disease compared with traditional clinical risk scoring. The researchers say this should increase the opportunity to intervene early and help affected people reduce their risk - for instance through lifestyle changes. |
| The authors explain that at present, doctors calculate people's risk of developing heart disease by assessing a range of clinical and lifestyle factors, such as blood pressure, smoking, and alcohol consumption. |
| Family history is also included in the assessment. However, despite advances in genomic technologies, genetic information based on an individual's DNA profile is currently not used to assess risk for heart disease. |
| Heart disease is an umbrella term for a range of disorders that affect the heart, of which coronary artery disease is the most common. |
| When the heart muscle does not get enough blood, it can lead to angina, causing chest pain and discomfort. Angina is the most common symptom of coronary artery disease. Other disorders can also develop, such as heart failure or irregular heartbeat. |