CAD-Zero Variants

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) This test did not identify gene variants associated with a slightly increased risk of coronary artery disease. Variants No. of increased risk copies Increased risk for CAD rs4977574 rs3798220 rs646776 None 0

1.2x

the population risk View All Variants Close

Your genetic & lifestyle risk

Give us a little more information about your lifestyle and medical health to see how nongenetic factors contribute to your risk. Mayo Clinic GeneGuide™ can't tell you exactly how many risk factors it takes to develop CAD, but we can tell you how to reduce your risk as much as possible. Calculate Your Risk Tell me more about these variants

rs4977574

rs4977574 is a variant located on chromosome 9 in a region called 9p21. Variants in this area of the genome have been studied in several different ancestral backgrounds and have the strongest evidence for an association with risk of CAD. The mechanism for why the rs4977574 variant causes an increased risk of CAD is unknown.

rs3798220

rs3798220 is a variant in the LPA gene located on chromosome 6 in a region called 6q25, which makes the protein called lipoprotein (a), abbreviated Lp(a). The function of Lp(a) is not entirely understood. High amounts of Lp(a) in the blood is associated with an increased risk of coronary artery disease. Studies have shown that people who have the rs3798220 variant have higher levels of blood Lp(a) and a higher risk of CAD. People with two copies of the variant have an increased risk over people with one copy.

rs646776

rs646776 is a variant located on chromosome 1. Although the underlying reason is not yet known, this variant is associated with higher low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol blood levels in people from several different ancestral backgrounds. LDL is considered the "bad" cholesterol compared with high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. People with higher LDL have an increased risk of CAD. What does the increased risk mean?

To explain what these increased risk numbers mean, let's talk about a simplified imaginary example using coronary artery disease: Coronary artery disease is a common condition. Each person has a risk of developing coronary artery disease based on many factors, such as age, smoking status, lifestyle choices, and so on. Genetics also plays a role in your risk. In our example, let's say John has a risk of 4/100 (4 percent) of developing coronary artery disease in the next 10 years based on his age and other personal information.

A genetic variant (rs12345) has been found to be associated with an increased risk of coronary artery disease. Having one copy of the genetic variant increases a person's risk 1.5-fold compared with those who don't have the variant. If John has genetic testing that shows he carries one copy of this variant, his risk of coronary artery disease will increase 1.5 times. His updated risk information including the genetic information is 6/100, or 6 percent, (1.5 x 4/100). If he had two copies of this variant, his risk would be even higher.

Here's What You Need to Know

The variants included in this test have strong scientific evidence of their association with CAD.

Other genes and genetic variants that may carry an increased risk of CAD are not included in this test.

Lifestyle factors and family history play an important role in your risk of CAD. See how More than half the risk of coronary artery disease comes from nongenetic factors. Some risk factors you can't change, such as age and family history. Other risk factors are things you can change, including your diet, level of exercise and other lifestyle factors. Typically, the more risk factors you have, the higher is your overall risk of CAD. Why don't we add these risks together?

Many of the studies aimed at understanding the relationship between genetic variants and risk of CAD are new and have only been investigated by themselves. This means that scientists often don't fully understand how these variants work together to give a final increased or decreased risk.

Risk factors are therefore reported separately even though they may be influenced by other risk factors. Take steps to reduce the risks you can change, such as lifestyle choices, as much as possible.

These variants are very common in the population. See how common each variant is by ethnicity.

See how common each variant is by ethnicity?

  • Percent of the population having one variant:
  • European: 49 percent
  • East Asian: 53 percent
  • African: 14 percent
  • American Admixed: 42 percent
  • South Asian: 48 percent
  • Percent of the population having two variants:
  • East Asian: 28 percent
  • European: 25 percent
  • African: 2 percent
  • American Admixed: 18 percent
  • South Asian: 23 percent
  • Percent of the population having one variant:
  • East Asian: 9 percent
  • European: 1 percent
  • African: Less than 1 percent
  • American Admixed: 21 percent
  • South Asian: <1 percent
  • Percent of the population having two variants:
  • European: 0.01 percent
  • East Asian: 0.8 percent
  • African: Much less than 1 percent
  • American Admixed: 4.4 percent
  • South Asian: Much less than 1 percent
  • Percent of the population having one variant:
  • East Asian: 5 percent
  • European: 21 percent
  • African: 42 percent
  • American Admixed: 22 percent
  • South Asian: 26 percent
  • Percent of the population with two variants:
  • East Asian: 0.25 percent
  • European: 4.4 percent
  • African: 16 percent
  • American Admixed: 5 percent
  • South Asian: 7 percent

Here's what you can do

Talk with your health care provider for more information if you are concerned about your risk of coronary artery disease.

Learn more

About coronary artery disease

About the coronary artery disease test

Did you know?

Cardiovascular disease is the most common cause of death in the U.S.