Polygenic risk for coronary heart disease — factors that might increase risk

Drs. Carlos Iribarren and Jamal Rana, whose recently published study is described in this newsletter, are continuing their research in the area of polygenic risk scores and coronary heart disease. They will study whether genetic factors known to influence the risk of heart disease, such as the SNPs they identified in their previous research, play a more important role in the development of heart disease early in life compared to later in life. They also will study whether these SNPs have the same effects on men and women in relation to developing coronary heart disease. When doctors know more about who is at greater risk for coronary heart disease, they will be better able to provide advice to people regarding lifestyle changes (e.g., diet and exercise) and appropriate preventive medications (e.g., statins).