Hypertension genetic risk now a part of the deCODEme Complete Scan

Hypertension, commonly referred to as high blood pressure, has been added to the deCODEme Complete Scan. Hypertension is defined as blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg or above on three consecutive measurements at least six hours apart. Blood pressure this high is a risk factor for many diseases. Over time, the increased workload on the heart weakens it and contributes to atherosclerosis (the thickening of the arteries due to fat and cholesterol depositions), thereby increasing the risk of coronary heart disease and stroke, which are among the leading causes of death in the United States. High blood pressure can also lead to other conditions, such as heart failure, kidney disease, and blindness. High blood pressure is especially dangerous because it often has no obvious warning signs or symptoms and can therefore remain undiagnosed and untreated long enough to cause damage. High blood pressure is common, but too often goes undetected. An estimated 1 billion people worldwide have hypertension, and this number is expected to increase to 1.56 billion people by the year 2025. This translates to about 1 in 4 adults being afflicted with hypertension worldwide. Currently, about 1 in 3 Americans are thought to have hypertension, and a third of them probably do not know it.

Knowing your risk for Chronic Kidney Disease through a deCODEme DNA scan can increase your awareness and empower you to take preventive steps to protect your kidneys.

Chronic Kidney Disease has been added to the deCODEme Complete Scan. Chronic Kidney Disease involves the gradual loss of kidney function over time that can ultimately lead to kidney failure. It typically develops as a result of other common diseases, primarily diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity, but not everyone has the same risk of developing Chronic Kidney Disease. Research suggests that this disease has a strong familial component.

In the U.S., an estimated 26 million adults have Chronic Kidney Disease, but most of them do not know it. The kidneys have such a remarkable ability to compensate for problems in their function, that there may be no symptoms of Chronic Kidney Disease until it has progressed considerably.

Recently, scientists identified a common genetic variant (rs4293393-T), associated with increased risk of Chronic Kidney Disease. deCODEme has incorporated these results into the complete genetic scan, which analyzes your DNA and provides you with a personalized risk assessment for Chronic Kidney Disease and about many other diseases, including diabetes, obesity and kidney stones.

Chronic Kidney Disease is a growing problem in the U.S. and in other western parts of the world, Knowing your risk for Chronic Kidney Disease can increase your awareness and empower you to take preventive steps to protect your kidneys.