What is cardiovascular health?
Cardiovascular health describes how well your heart and blood vessels do their work. The heart pumps blood through a vast network of arteries, veins and capillaries. The lining of those vessels is not a passive pipe. It responds to signals, widens and narrows, and helps control inflammation. Fats in the blood, blood pressure and the flexibility of your arteries all shape how this system feels and functions over the years.
How your genes play a role
Genes influence several parts of this picture. Some guide how your body packages and clears cholesterol. Others help set blood pressure through hormones made in the kidneys and lungs. A few shape how your vessels relax or respond to inflammation. Each variant usually has a small effect on its own, and genes always work alongside sleep, food, movement and stress.
Heart health is built slowly, through ordinary days. Knowing which systems may be more sensitive for you can make everyday choices feel more personal and less generic. It can also give you clearer questions for your clinician, for example which blood markers are worth tracking or which habits may matter most for your body. Understanding your tendencies is not a forecast. It is a calmer, better informed starting point for looking after a system you rely on every second.
What your report shows
Your Cardiovascular Health results are explained in plain language in your private EvoDNA account, alongside the other areas in your kit.
- Lipid handlingHow your genes may influence the way your body carries and clears cholesterol and triglycerides.
- Lipoprotein(a) tendencyWhether you carry variants linked to lipoprotein(a), a particle level that is largely shaped by genetics.
- Vessel functionVariants related to how your blood vessels relax and respond to everyday signals.
- Blood pressure pathwaysGenes in the hormone system that helps regulate blood pressure and fluid balance.
| Gene | What it does | Result |
|---|---|---|
| APOE | Helps transport fats and cholesterol in the blood and… | Typical |
| LPA | Provides instructions for lipoprotein(a), a cholesterol-carrying particle whose level… | Moderate effect |
| PCSK9 | Controls how many LDL receptors sit on your liver… | Typical |
Each result comes with a plain-language explanation and practical points to discuss with your clinician.
Illustration only. Your report reflects your own genetic results.
Genes we analyze
| Gene | Role |
|---|---|
| APOE | Helps transport fats and cholesterol in the blood and is one of the most studied genes in heart and brain health. |
| LPA | Provides instructions for lipoprotein(a), a cholesterol-carrying particle whose level is mostly set by your genes. |
| PCSK9 | Controls how many LDL receptors sit on your liver cells, which affects how quickly LDL cholesterol is cleared. |
| NOS3 | Makes nitric oxide in the lining of your blood vessels, a molecule that helps them relax and widen. |
| ACE | Produces an enzyme in the hormone system that helps regulate blood pressure and fluid balance. |
Full panel: 16 genes
APOE, APOB, LPL, LPA, PCSK9, IL5, IL6R, SERPINA1, NOS3, TGFB1, VEGFA, ANGPTL4, ACE, AGT, CYP11B2, CETP
Putting results to use
Many people use their results as a starting point for conversations with their clinician about:
Walking, cycling or swimming most days is often discussed as a simple way to support the heart and vessels.
Many people talk with their clinician about fiber, vegetables, legumes and healthy fats as part of a heart-friendly pattern.
Consistent, good quality sleep is linked to steadier blood pressure and overall cardiovascular wellbeing.
Breathing practices, time outdoors and social connection are commonly explored ways to ease the load of daily stress.
Questions
Does a genetic variant mean I will develop heart disease?
No. Most variants shift tendencies slightly and do not determine outcomes. Lifestyle, environment and medical care all play a large role alongside your genes.
Why is lipoprotein(a) mentioned so often?
Lipoprotein(a) levels are largely inherited and change little with lifestyle. Knowing about a genetic tendency can be a useful prompt for a conversation with your clinician about testing.
Can I share these results with my doctor?
Yes, and that is a good way to use them. Your clinician can place genetic information alongside your blood tests, family history and daily habits.
Only interested in this area? The Heart & Blood Flow Genetic Report is available on its own for $99.00.
