Genetic Testing For Heart Condition

[Chappychap]

Some very interesting news today about a joint initiative between the British Heart Foundation (the sponsors of this site) and the NHS to test for a genetic condition that results in high levels of "bad" cholesterol.

news.sky.com/story/better-d...

The chief medical advisor to the BHF is a strong proponent of genetic testing for heart conditions. That seems only sensible, and it's a surprise that where as the focus with cancer is early detection and treatment, there's no similar urgency, at least that I can see, for heart conditions.

This is doubly surprising as heart disease has certain co-morbidities that you'd want to be aware of as early as possible in order to initiate life style changes. Type 2 diabetes is a well known one, but increasingly the finger is pointing to Alzheimers as another co-morbidity. I had myself tested privately for the APO-E gene variant that signals increased risk for both heart disease and late onset Alzheimers. If that was a free DNA test the economies of scale might bring the true cost down to pennies. Still, today's news is real progress and I say very well done to the BHF for this action!

[DD13]

Hi I had my ancestry and some genetics done through 23 and me. I have the Apoe-E3/E4 gene. Looked again on it the other day, and they are still doing tests even now. And I have AMD. Got to go to optician with that one as I have a double one of the genes for it. Maybe that's why I can't stand light etc and my left eye drowns in fluid. It would be good to get early testing for diseases. Got to be cheaper in the long run.

Regards Dee.