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

Menopause increases cardiovascular risk due to estrogen decline, which affects vascular function and lipid profiles. A standalone DNA test for single gene variants (e.g., TCF7L2) cannot reliably predict this risk – effect sizes are small, and lifestyle factors dominate. Myth: “A genetic test tells me my heart risk during menopause.” Fact: Cardiovascular risk assessment requires a combination of blood pressure, cholesterol, fasting glucose, family history, and lifestyle. Menopause-specific markers like lipoprotein(a) or hs-CRP may be useful but are not included in most home tests. Evidence for direct-to-consumer tests is largely marketing-driven; they do not replace clinical evaluation. Caution: A negative genetic result may falsely reassure, while a positive one may cause unnecessary worry. The best approach is a comprehensive check with a physician, including hormone status and metabolic profile.