Study verifies that cholesterol-associated gene variants can predict cardiovascular events

A study appearing in this week’s New England Journal of Medicine confirms that a combination of gene variants previously associated with cholesterol levels does reflect patients’ cholesterol levels and can signify increased risk of heart attack, stroke or sudden cardiac death. Led by researchers from the Massachusetts General Hospital Cardiology Division, the study’s findings are a first step towards the ability to identify individuals who might benefit from earlier use of cholesterol-lowering medications and other measures to combat elevated risk.