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Which Test Predicts How Effective Statins Are At Decreasing Future Heart Attack Risks?
Question: There is a genetic test according to cardiologist, XXXXXXX Agatson, MD, which, for about $150 can tell you if you are in the group for whom statins provide very little heart protection or the other group where they do offer some heart protection.
What is this test called? And, what percentage of people are in each group?
What is this test called? And, what percentage of people are in each group?
Brief Answer:
Considerations
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for sending the query,
According to my research the test you are referring to is the KIF6 gene test. The KIF6 gene test predicts how effective statins are likely to be effective at lowering cholesterol and subsequently decreasing risk of a future heart attack. A recent study found that people with a certain variant of KIF6 had a better response to statin treatment, with a 41% drop in heart attack risk, while people without this mutation didn't respond as well, with a 6% drop.
The idea behind the test is to identify who may or may not respond to statins so therapy can be tailored accordingly.
As for frequency - reports sugguest up to 50% in each group as an average.
Thanks again for sending your query,
Dr. Galamaga
Considerations
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for sending the query,
According to my research the test you are referring to is the KIF6 gene test. The KIF6 gene test predicts how effective statins are likely to be effective at lowering cholesterol and subsequently decreasing risk of a future heart attack. A recent study found that people with a certain variant of KIF6 had a better response to statin treatment, with a 41% drop in heart attack risk, while people without this mutation didn't respond as well, with a 6% drop.
The idea behind the test is to identify who may or may not respond to statins so therapy can be tailored accordingly.
As for frequency - reports sugguest up to 50% in each group as an average.
Thanks again for sending your query,
Dr. Galamaga
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thanks Dr Galamaga!
One of the issues with statins to cut the death rate from heart attacks has been that they reduce LDL cholesterol and possibly HSCRP and reduce NONFATAL heart attacks that they seem NOT to reduce the death rate from heart attacks.
Is there any research that shows the people "with a certain variant of KIF6 had a better response to statin treatment, with a 41% drop in heart attack risk" had any reduction in the death rate from heart attacks?
One of the issues with statins to cut the death rate from heart attacks has been that they reduce LDL cholesterol and possibly HSCRP and reduce NONFATAL heart attacks that they seem NOT to reduce the death rate from heart attacks.
Is there any research that shows the people "with a certain variant of KIF6 had a better response to statin treatment, with a 41% drop in heart attack risk" had any reduction in the death rate from heart attacks?
Brief Answer:
Followup
Detailed Answer:
thanks for the additional question.
Unfortunately we do not have data that extrapolates decrease in heart attack to decrease in death from heart attack related to this particular gene.
The assumption is that if we decrease the risk of heart attack the overall risk of mortality is also decreased. Your point is a good one however as we struggle with this type of statistical analysis in manyFields of medicine.
It would take many years for them to determine the actual risk of death from heart attack related to this particular laboratory findings.
Thanks again for sharing your health care concern.
Sincerely,
Dr. Galamaga
Followup
Detailed Answer:
thanks for the additional question.
Unfortunately we do not have data that extrapolates decrease in heart attack to decrease in death from heart attack related to this particular gene.
The assumption is that if we decrease the risk of heart attack the overall risk of mortality is also decreased. Your point is a good one however as we struggle with this type of statistical analysis in manyFields of medicine.
It would take many years for them to determine the actual risk of death from heart attack related to this particular laboratory findings.
Thanks again for sharing your health care concern.
Sincerely,
Dr. Galamaga
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Dr XXXXXXX
Thanks.
Extrapolation won't help anyway.
It's the actual rates tested as occurring that count.
What research group might have studied that -- or plan to do so?
Do you know of any research groups that for sure did or plan to research this question?
XXXXXXX Clinic?
Mayo Clinic?
Johns Hopkins?
The Cochrane group?
Other?
XXXXXXX Eller
Thanks.
Extrapolation won't help anyway.
It's the actual rates tested as occurring that count.
What research group might have studied that -- or plan to do so?
Do you know of any research groups that for sure did or plan to research this question?
XXXXXXX Clinic?
Mayo Clinic?
Johns Hopkins?
The Cochrane group?
Other?
XXXXXXX Eller
Brief Answer:
Followup
Detailed Answer:
hello again,
I am not aware of any institutions or research groups who are currently working on this particular question.
if a group does study this in a prospective fashion it would take many years before even preliminary results would be available. It's an intriguing topic for sure.
Dr G
Followup
Detailed Answer:
hello again,
I am not aware of any institutions or research groups who are currently working on this particular question.
if a group does study this in a prospective fashion it would take many years before even preliminary results would be available. It's an intriguing topic for sure.
Dr G
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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