Cardiovascular system

Why is cardiovascular risk not always visible in standard tests?

Cholesterol levels, blood pressure, ECG — these indicators record the state at a specific moment. Behind them, a hereditary predisposition to increased risk is not always visible: how effectively the body removes “bad” cholesterol, whether there is a genetic vulnerability to arrhythmia, how the vessels react to salt consumption. These features exist regardless of what the analysis shows today — and may be relevant long before the appearance of clinical symptoms.

For example, variants in a gene involved in homocysteine metabolism may help to understand the predisposition to its accumulation—and elevated homocysteine is an independent risk factor for vascular damage. Genetic sensitivity to salt affects the response of blood pressure to diet regardless of its current level.

This DNA heart health test assesses hereditary characteristics across 20 indicators, from cardiovascular disease susceptibility to lipid profile, inflammatory markers, and metabolic risks. These data are stable throughout life and complement the results of cardiac examinations.

What indicators does the test evaluate?

Cardiovascular diseases

Eight indicators covering hereditary predisposition to major cardiovascular conditions.

• Hypertension — genetic factors that influence blood pressure regulation and the tendency to persistently increase it are analyzed.

• Myocardial infarction and coronary heart disease — hereditary features associated with coronary artery disease risk are determined: predisposition to atherosclerosis, thrombosis predisposition, and coronary blood flow disorders.

• Stroke — genetic risk factors for acute cerebrovascular accidents are being assessed.

• Arrhythmia and atrial fibrillation - hereditary features of the electrical conductivity of the heart and predisposition to rhythm disturbances are analyzed.

• Aneurysm — genetic factors associated with the strength of the vascular wall and the tendency to its pathological expansion are determined.

• Varicose veins — hereditary features of venous tone and function of the venous valve apparatus are assessed.

Metabolic risks

Five indicators reflecting metabolic factors that directly affect cardiovascular health.

• Salt sensitivity — Genetic variants are linked to how much sodium intake affects blood pressure. This factor remains stable regardless of current blood pressure readings.

• Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) — hereditary factors predisposing to the accumulation of fat in the liver, which is associated with increased cardiovascular risk, are analyzed.

• Gout — genetic features of uric acid metabolism are determined, an elevated level of which is an independent cardiovascular risk factor.

• Aerobic potential and VO₂max — assess the inherited characteristics of the cardiovascular system's ability to efficiently exchange oxygen and respond to endurance training.

Lipids and inflammatory markers

Seven indicators reflecting lipid metabolism genetics and vascular inflammation.

• Total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol — hereditary features of lipid metabolism and genetically determined levels of protective cholesterol are analyzed.

• Apolipoprotein A1 is a key protein in reverse cholesterol transport from blood vessel walls.

• Genetic variants can affect the efficiency of this process, which is directly linked to atherosclerosis genetics.

• Homocysteine — elevated levels are associated with damage to the vascular endothelium. Hereditary factors predisposing to its accumulation have been identified.

• C-reactive protein (CRP) is a marker of systemic vascular inflammation. Genetic features of the intensity of the inflammatory response are analyzed.

• Fasting glucose and hyperlipidemia — hereditary risk factors associated with disorders of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism as components of cardiovascular risk are evaluated.

Who is this test relevant to?

• People with a family history of cardiovascular disease — heart attack, stroke, hypertension, arrhythmia: this DNA heart health test assesses the hereditary component and helps develop a preventive approach together with a cardiologist.

• For those with cholesterol or blood pressure levels that are borderline normal, a genetic heart test provides context for understanding individual risk that is not always visible in standard tests.

• For people over 35 who want to act preventively: a DNA heart test provides knowledge about hereditary characteristics of the cardiovascular system to form a strategy together with a doctor before symptoms appear.

• For physically active people and those who plan to increase the intensity of their training: a heart genetics test assessing aerobic potential and cardiovascular characteristics provides additional context for planning workouts.

The results of the Cardiovascular Genetic Test are not a diagnosis and do not replace a consultation with a cardiologist. The Apixmed Prism cardiovascular genetics test report provides data that complements the results of cardiological examinations and helps you make lifestyle and prevention decisions together with your doctor.