DNA Cardiovascular Disease (ApoE) Test

Name: DNA Cardiovascular Disease (ApoE) Test - SwabTest
SKU: STUSAPO
Price: 195.00 USD
Availability: InStock

Find out if you have the APOE gene variant influencing the risk of heart disease. This help can also help determine the best approach for lowering your cholesterol levels based on genetics.

$195.00

Description

Cardiovascular disease involves the narrowing or the blocking of blood vessels that could lead to heart attack, stroke and chest pain or angina. It is associated with well-known disease risk factors, including diet, physical activity, weight, age, and genetics. Of the genetic risk factors APOE gene is the best predictor of how individuals will respond to cholesterol lowering changes such as dietary changes or statins.

Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) is a protein found in lipoproteins involved in packaging and transporting fats like cholesterol through the bloodstream. The main function of ApoE is to help clear cholesterol and triglycerides from the bloodstream by moving them into cells, where they are processed. The APOE gene provides instructions to make ApoE and there are at least three slightly different versions or alleles of this gene. The three most common alleles are known as 2, 3 and 4 and each produces a slightly different version of the ApoE protein. Individuals with the different versions of APOE have different susceptibilities to health conditions.

The genetics

There are three common genetic variants of APOE, e2, e3 and e4. Each variant produces a slightly different form of the ApoE protein. This test detects these variants associated with the risk of cardiovascular disease.

APOE e3: The most common genetic variant. This variant is not associated with the risk of cardiovascular disease

APOE e4: Associated with an increased risk of high levels of LDL-cholesterol and atherosclerosis, buildup of fat in blood vessels

APOE e2: Linked to lower LDL-cholesterol levels. However, this variant is also linked to increased risk of high blood sugar and hyperlipoproteinemia type III, a disorder where fat is not broken down properly and accumulates in the body. Both of these conditions contribute to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

APOE variants and risk of heart disease

Studies have observed the following links between APOE variants and cardiovascular disease (CVD)

Two copies of the e3 allele: Not at increased risk CVD
One e3 allele and one e2 allele: Not at increased risk of CVD
Two copies of the e2 allele: Lower LDL-cholesterol, but increased risk of hyperlipoproteinemia type III, which can contribute towards CVD
One or two copies of the e4 allele: Elevated LDL-cholesterol and increased risk of CVD

APOE variants, diet, and cholesterol-lowering statins

Studies have linked specific APOE variants to whether an individual’s response to diet or statins to lower their cholesterol. We each inherit two copies of the APOE gene, one from each parent. The following variant combinations are linked to diet and statins:

APOE e3/e4 or e4/e4:
Individuals with these variant combinations should consume a low-fat diet as they are unable to metabolise fats effectively. These individuals also do not respond to statins.

APOE e2/e2 or e2/e3:
Individuals with these APOE combination are less effective at metabolizing carbohydrates. They are able to metabolize fats and respond better to statins.