Did you know that many forms of cardiovascular disease are connected to gene variations and polymorphisms?
Our CardiaX Panel measures these variations, called Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs), which are variations in a single nucleotide that occur at a specific position in the DNA sequence of an individual's genome.
SNPs can significantly impact how genes are expressed or regulated, and they can also affect how an individual responds to environmental factors, medications, or diseases.
The CardiaX test detects these gene variations associated with an increased risk of developing several cardiovascular conditions, including atherosclerosis, abnormal cholesterol production, hypertension, stroke, and even heart attack.
Use this downloadable Quick Guide to Interpreting CardiaX Panel Markers to detect heart disease and related conditions early and accurately so you can implement targeted clinical strategies based on your patient’s unique genetics.
In this handy guide, you’ll find the following for each genetic marker:
You’ll also find detailed guidelines on therapeutic lifestyle changes that can reduce your patient’s risk of developing cardiac conditions.
Advanced predictive markers are genetic variations strongly correlated with cardiovascular disease and are used to predict the likelihood of disease development.
These markers include genes involved in the regulation of inflammatory pathways and a gene that controls for vasoconstriction.
9p21 is a chromosomal region with 4 SNPs discovered in 2007 and is said to be a genetic revolution for cardiovascular disease.
It's integral to regulating inflammatory pathways and significantly correlated with adverse events independent of other lifestyle factors.
The 4q25 is a chromosomal region associated with 2 SNPs. This region contains several genes, including the PITX2 gene, which plays a critical role in the early development of several organs, including the heart.
6p24.1 is a gene that codes for a potent vasoconstrictor peptide. It plays a role in regulating endothelial cells, which line the blood vessels and are critical for maintaining healthy cardiovascular function.
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a common condition in which the force of blood pushing against the artery walls is too high, making the heart work harder to pump blood and affecting the body’s arteries.
The CardiX markers below are related to hypertension:
The receptor protein ADR-B2 binds with epinephrine to control smooth muscle relaxation.
Incorporate therapeutic lifestyle changes for cardiometabolic disease risk reduction, such as weight loss, a reduced sodium and high-fiber diet, avoiding unhealthy fats, and aerobic exercise.
Corin is a key enzyme in the biosynthesis of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), which regulates salt and water balance, intravascular volume, and blood pressure.
CYP1A2 is a gene responsible for 95% of caffeine metabolism in the liver. Genetic polymorphisms can result in increased or decreased caffeine metabolism. Slow metabolizers represent about half of the population.
CYP11B2 is a gene responsible for aldosterone synthesis in the adrenal glands. Polymorphisms are associated with increased aldosterone.
ACE I/D is an enzyme found in the lungs that is a major player in the speed and regulation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS).
CYP4F2 codes for an enzyme that starts the process of inactivating and degrading Leukotriene B4, a potent mediator of inflammation.
AGTR1 is involved in the regulation of blood pressure and renal function.
Variations directly affect the RAAS system, which controls blood pressure, depending on potassium intake.
Dyslipidemia is a condition where there is an imbalance of lipids in the body, including cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL).
This condition can be influenced by environmental or genetic factors and cause severe cases of cardiovascular disease.
Metabolic disease or syndrome encompasses various conditions that co-occur, putting individuals at risk for heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes.
The CardiX markers below are related to dyslipidemia and metabolic disease:
ADRB2 interacts with epinephrine and adrenaline to indirectly control smooth muscle relaxation and bronchodilation.
ApoE is a gene that codes for Apolipoprotein E, produced primarily by the liver and brain.
ApoE-containing lipoproteins transport lipids (fats) from the diet to other tissues for storage and transport cholesterol from those tissues to the liver for excretion.
Genetic variation influences susceptibility to dietary fat and other lifestyle factors.
There are three variations (alleles) of Apo E2, E3, and E4, and individuals carry two alleles for a variety of genetic combinations:
ApoE e4 genotype is found in 25% of the population and predisposes an individual to:
SCARB1 is a liver protein receptor involved in HDL (high-density lipoprotein) clearance.
Prevents HDL from attaching to receptors for breakdown, leading to decreased HDL clearance and elevated levels of dysfunctional (nonprotective) HDL.
1q25 is a chromosome that's important in:
Variations in the position of the 1q25 chromosome result in:
ApoA1 is a gene that provides instructions for making Apo A1 Lipoprotein.
Found on HDL lipoprotein and is involved with a reaction called cholesterol esterification that converts cholesterol to a form that can be fully integrated into HDL and transported through the bloodstream.
ApoA2 is a gene that provides instructions for making Apo A2 lipoprotein, the second most abundant high-density lipoprotein particle.
Increased risk for obesity, dyslipidemia, and diabetes.
Incorporate therapeutic lifestyle changes.
ApoC3 protein is a component of VLDL. It inhibits lipoprotein lipase and hepatic lipase and is thought to delay the catabolism of triglyceride-rich particles.
Gene variation results in increased levels of ApoC3, which can cause:
Aggressive management and treatment of lipids.
Detoxification is the process of removing toxins from the body and is essential in preventing cardiovascular disease. When genetic variants inhibit detoxification, there is a greater risk of developing heart conditions.
Methylation is a critical cellular process that occurs in the body a billion times per second and aids in processing nutrients and molecules to support numerous body systems (including detoxification).
Genetic variants inhibiting methylation can increase the risk of developing heart-related conditions.
The CardiX markers below are related to detoxification and methylation:
Methylene Tetrahydrofolate Reductase (MTHFR) is an enzyme that catalyzes the methylation (activation) of folic acid to L methyl folate, which is involved in:
There are two SNPs possible, 677 and 1298.
Increased risk for:
The Glutathione Peroxidase (GSHPx) enzyme is a master detoxifier. Increased levels of GSHPx can help lower blood pressure and decrease the risk of myocardial infarction, left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), and congestive heart failure (CHF).
Low levels of GSHPx are associated with the following:
Nitric Oxide Synthase 3 (NOS3) synthesizes nitric oxide from L-arginine. Nitric oxide is an essential molecule to quench free radicals. There are three possible polymorphisms.
Polymorphisms can lead to decreased production of NOS and less nitric oxide availability, resulting in higher free radical accumulation.
Catechol-o-Methyltransferase (COMT) is an enzyme that breaks down neurotransmitters.
COMT is particularly prominent in the region of the brain that processes:
Variations result in reduced enzyme activity, leading to elevated norepinephrine and prolonged sympathetic nervous system stimulation.
It may be the root cause of aggression, anger, hostility, and increased risk of hypertension.
The following therapeutic lifestyle changes can significantly reduce patient risk of cardiac disease and related conditions.
Don't wait for heart conditions to strike before taking action.
With CardiaX genetic testing and therapeutic lifestyle changes, you can help your patients stay one step ahead to protect their heart health.
By detecting genetic variations early on, you can provide personalized guidance to your patients and help them make informed decisions about their health.
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