A new genetic screening tool could help doctors identify people who are more likely to develop serious heart-related illnesses before symptoms appear, according to a recent study.
Researchers say the test can measure inherited risk for eight major cardiovascular and related conditions through a single analysis of a person’s DNA.
The conditions include coronary artery disease, irregular heartbeat, type 2 diabetes, severe high blood pressure, dangerous cholesterol levels, blood clots, thoracic aortic aneurysm, and elevated lipoprotein(a), a substance linked to heart disease.
The study was carried out by researchers at Mass General Brigham Heart and Vascular Institute and published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
Scientists used a method known as a polygenic risk score, which examines many small genetic changes that together may increase a person’s chance of developing disease.
To build the tool, researchers analyzed health and genetic information from more than 245,000 participants in the All of Us Research Program. The results were later tested in another group of over 53,000 people.
Findings showed that individuals with the highest genetic risk for coronary artery disease were nearly four times more likely to develop the condition than people with average risk levels.
The study also found that people with the highest inherited risk for type 2 diabetes were more than three times more likely to develop the disease.
Researcher Aniruddh Pradip Patel said the tool may help doctors make earlier decisions about prevention and treatment, especially for patients who do not show obvious warning signs during routine medical checks.
Experts explained that inherited risk exists from birth, unlike lifestyle-related factors that develop over time, making early detection possible years before disease appears.
The researchers said the test was designed for easy use in hospitals and clinics. It includes simple explanations, charts, and risk comparisons that patients and healthcare workers can understand.
The system can also connect with electronic health records to support routine medical care.
However, scientists warned that more research is needed before the test can become a standard part of healthcare.
They noted that much of the current genetic data used in the study came from people of European ancestry, meaning further studies are necessary to ensure the tool works accurately across different populations.
Researchers believe the findings could support the future of personalized healthcare, where treatment and prevention plans are tailored to a person’s genetic makeup.
