Stops heart problems early
Reduces damage over time
Helps prevent surprise heart attacks and strokes
Medications for cholesterol and blood pressure reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes, but they don’t erase it.
Your genes, lifestyle, and other health problems (such as diabetes, obesity) can still increase your chances of heart problems.
Step 1: Know your risk of having a heart attack or stroke in the next 10 years
Lower your heart attack risk, not just cholesterol
Catching and treating heart disease risks early helps keep your arteries healthy, reduces the need for strong treatments, and lowers the chance of serious heart issues in the future.
Knowing your 10-year risk is more informative than just knowing your cholesterol level. Here's why:
Incorporates Multiple Risk Factors - not just cholesterol
Looks at age, gender, blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, and medications you are using.
Lower heart attack risk - not just cholesterol
Focuses on preventing heart attacks or strokes, not just lowering cholesterol.
Gives an accurate risk picture
High cholesterol doesn't affect everyone equally.
Two people with the same cholesterol can have different risks because of their age, gender, medication and diabetic differences.
For example, a younger person with moderate cholesterol but no other risk factors may have a low 10-year risk, while an older person with the same cholesterol, high blood pressure, and diabetes may have a much higher 10-year risk.
The 10-year risk helps determine who would benefit most from interventions like statins, rather than using a "one-size-fits-all"
Helps prevent surprise heart attacks and strokes
Heart attacks and strokes often happen to people who didn’t know their risk. Early awareness based on your 10-year risk means you can take steps to avoid these surprises.
Contact us. Arrange to have a simple blood test to determine your 10-year risk
Step 2: Get a clearer, more personalized view of Your heart health
Some people have a genetic predisposition to cardiovascular disease, making them more likely to have a heart attack or stroke, even if their cholesterol and blood pressure are well-managed.
Consider Genetic Testing
Adds lifelong genetic risk
DNA testing reveals hidden genetic risks that stays the same your whole life
These lifelong risks include heart attack, stroke, high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, triglycerides, heart muscle damage, and irregular heartbeat.
More accurate than 10-year risk
High 10-year risk does not affect everyone equally
DNA test helps identify who may have higher comprehensive risk, even if their 10-year risks are the same.
For example, a healthy 50-year-old man and a 60-year-old woman might have the same 10-year heart attack risk. But if the woman’s genes increase her risk for heart disease or irregular heart beat (hereditary arrhythmia), she may be more likely to have a heart attack.
Adding genetic risk gives a more accurate picture than just looking at the 10-year risk alone.
Improves medication decisions
For those with moderate 10-year risk, deciding on heart medication is tough. Clinical guidelines recommend considering other factors beyond cholesterol and blood pressure..
Genetic tests uncover extra risk factors. The result helps decide if you need medications like statins or if lifestyle changes (like diet and exercise) are sufficient.
Rainbow Heart Heath Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) Test
If you have moderate, to high 10-year risk, you may benefit from genetic testing.
Contact us to learn more about the test and the report.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Out of 20 high-risk people taking statins, 15 still had a heart attack (1-5).
For people at moderate risk but without heart disease, statins lowered heart attack risk by just 1% compared to those who didn’t take the medication (1).
A heart attack isn’t just about high cholesterol, and statins alone may not prevent it. Your genetic risk from factors like diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, inflammation, artery problems, or irregular heartbeat can give you a better idea of your overall risk.
References
Cholesterol Lowering in Intermediate-Risk Persons without Cardiovascular Disease. N Engl J Med. 2016 May 26;374(21):2021-31.
Efficacy and safety of statin therapy in older people: a meta-analysis of individual participant data from 28 randomised controlled trials. Lancet 2019; 393: 407–15. (134 537 patients, 22 trials)
Statins for the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013 Jan; 2013(1): CD004816.
Statins and risk of incident diabetes: A collaborative meta-analysis of randomised statin trials. Lancet, 375(9716): 735–742.
Narrative review: Statin-related myopathy. Annals of Internal Medicine, 150(12): 858–868. Accessed April 7, 2015.
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The 10-year risk prediction for heart attacks and strokes is highly accurate. Two large studies in China, with 21,320 participants, showed it correctly identifies high-risk individuals who eventually experience a heart attack or stroke (1, 2).
Quotation from Authors: “Our project developed effective tools with good performance for 10-year ASCVD risk prediction among a Chinese population that will help to improve the primary prevention and management of cardiovascular disease….The sex-specific China-PAR equations provide a valuable tool for identifying high-risk individuals…”
References:
Predicting the 10-Year Risks of Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease in Chinese Population. The China-PAR Project (Prediction for ASCVD Risk in China). Circulation. 2016;134:1430–1440.
Evaluation of Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Risk Prediction Models in China: Results From the CHERRY Study. JACC: Asia. 2022 Feb, 2 (1) 33–43. (226 406 participants).
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If you have a moderate 10-year risk of cardiovascular disease, meaning that you have some chance of a heart attack or stroke in the next 10 years, but not a very high chance, a genetic test might help.
Here's how:
The test check if you have DNA changes that make your risk higher than what traditional cholesterol test suggests.
If the test shows you are at higher risk, taking a statin (a medicine that lowers cholesterol) can help prevent problems (1-7).
If the test shows your risk is lower, you might not need statins yet (1-7).
DNA testing helps make a better, more personal decision about your health. It’s like having an extra layer of information to make a more personalized decision about prevention.
References
A polygenic risk score improves risk stratification of coronary artery disease: a large-scale prospective Chinese cohort study. Eur Heart J. 2022 May 7;43(18):1702-1711.
Age and Genetic Risk Score and Rates of Blood Lipid Changes in China. JAMA Netw Open. 2023 Mar 1;6(3):e235565.
Genetic Risk, Coronary Heart Disease Events, and the Clinical Benefit of Statin Therapy. Lancet. 2015 June 6; 385(9984): 2264–2271.
Patients With High Genome-Wide Polygenic Risk Scores for Coronary Artery Disease May Receive Greater Clinical Benefit From Alirocumab Treatment in the ODYSSEY OUTCOMES Trial. Circulation. 2020;141:624–636
Genetic predisposition, modifiable lifestyles, and their joint effects on human lifespan: evidence from multiple cohort studies. BMJ Evid Based Med. 2024 Jul 23;29(4):255-263.
Polygenic risk score adds to a clinical risk score in the prediction of cardiovascular disease in a clinical setting. European Heart Journal (2024) 00, 1–9 Genetic Risk,
Adherence to a Healthy Lifestyle, and Coronary Disease. N Engl J Med 2016;375:2349-2358.
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The Rainbow genetic test is called a polygenic risk score (PRS) test specific for your ethnicity (Asians, Europeans, mixed-race individuals, etc.).
If you have a high polygenic risk score (PRS) for coronary artery disease (CAD), it means your genes make you more likely to get heart disease. This doesn’t mean you’ll definitely get it, but your chances are higher, especially if you also have things like high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or unhealthy habits.
Knowing this is a warning sign. It means you can take steps to protect your heart, like:
Eating healthy foods.
Staying active.
Keeping your cholesterol and blood pressure low.
Not smoking.
Talking to your doctor about whether you need medicine like statins.
It’s a way to get ahead and lower your risk!
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If you're at high risk for heart problems, here are some easy changes to lower your risk:
Diet Changes
Eat More Healthy Foods: Load up on fruits, veggies, whole grains like brown rice or oats, and beans. Choose healthy fats like nuts, olive oil, and avocados.
Cut Down on Unhealthy Fats: Avoid fatty meats, butter, and processed foods.
Limit Salt: Use less salt and avoid salty snacks.
Cut Back on Sugar: Reduce sugary drinks, snacks, and desserts.
Watch Portions: Eat smaller portions to control weight and avoid overeating.
Exercise and Activity
Move More: Aim for 30 minutes of walking, swimming, or cycling most days.
Strengthen Muscles: Do weight lifting or push-ups a couple of times a week.
Stay Active: Take the stairs, walk more, and stand up often.
Nutrition Tips
Eat Fiber: Foods like oatmeal, fruits, and beans can lower your cholesterol.
Add Omega-3s: Eat fatty fish like salmon or tuna a couple of times a week.
Drink Water: Choose water over sugary drinks.
Limit Alcohol: If you drink, stick to one drink a day for women and two for men.
Weight Loss Tips
Set Small Goals: Losing just 5–10% of your weight can improve your health.
Cut Out Liquid Calories: Skip sugary drinks like soda and juice to cut calories.
Always talk to your doctor before making big changes.