Genetic tests provide no value in predicting heart disease, says BHF

17 February 2010

New research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association examined whether it was possible to accurately predict a person's risk of cardiovascular disease using genetic markers associated with the disease.

The study's authors found that genetic markers did not provide a more accurate method of determining cardiovascular risk than the established methods. The findings call into question the value of genetic testing kits which people can buy which claim to be able to predict a person's risk of heart disease.

Commenting on the study Professor Peter Weissberg, Medical Director at the British Heart Foundation, said:

"Whilst genetic testing is extremely valuable for families affected by very rare diseases, the results from this large scale study of women and those from a previous BHF-funded study show that genetic tests add nothing to our ability to predict risk of common diseases such as heart attacks, stroke and diabetes.

"For the time being I don't believe that purchasing genetic tests to predict your susceptibility to heart and circulatory disease is a good investment. 'Conventional' risk factors such as obesity, smoking, cholesterol and blood pressure levels remain the cornerstone of risk prediction, and can be easily measured by your GP.

"The most important message for people is not to smoke, to moderate your diet, maintain a good exercise programme and to avoid becoming overweight, and if you are overweight to lose weight slowly and steadily as this will reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease."

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