Genetic StratificationGenetic Risk Stratification for Primary Prevention of CAD in Men and Pre & Post-menopausal Women

The investigators propose to genotype males and females at age 40 years and older, who are asymptomatic and without known heart disease (N=2000). DNA from a blood sample will be genotyped for millions of genetic risk variants for CAD by Baylor College of Medicine Human Genome Sequencing Center Clinical Laboratory (HGSC-CL) in a CLIA-approved laboratory.

The overall objective after 2 years is to determine if genetic screening for risk of CAD in asymptomatic men and women has the discriminatory power to detect those at highest risk who would potentially benefit most from appropriate primary prevention. It will also determine whether the GRS is appropriate for different ethnic and race groups such as Hispanics, African Americans and Whites, and to what extent those individuals knowing that they are at higher risk, are more likely to seek further advice on management of the risks (either through changes in lifestyle or therapy).