Myths vs facts: Cardio Risk Check | Herz-Kreislauf Risiko-Test and fatigue

The question of myths vs facts regarding cardio risk tests and fatigue is important. Many direct-to-consumer (DTC) tests claim to predict your cardiovascular risk using genetic variants (e.g., FTO, MC4R, APOA2) or biomarkers. However, the evidence is mostly weak: individual gene effects are small, and most studies are observational (GWAS), not causal. A high polygenic risk score explains only 2–5% of BMI variation and even less for cardiovascular events. Fatigue can be a symptom of heart failure, anemia, or thyroid disorders – conditions that require clinical blood work, TSH, and echocardiography. A genetic test alone cannot replace this. Fact: A healthy lifestyle (fiber, exercise, sleep) has a far greater impact than most genetic markers. Myth: A DNA test can tell you exactly whether you have cardiovascular issues or if fatigue is caused by them. Truth: These tests may serve as motivation but are not diagnostic. If you experience persistent fatigue, see a doctor – that is the only evidence-based approach.