Myths vs facts: Cardio Risk Check and Abnehmen

Myth: A cardio risk check DNA test can reliably predict your ability to lose weight or your heart disease risk. Facts: Genetics play a role, but individual variant effects are small. For example, the FTO variant (rs9939609) is associated with a modest BMI increase of ~0.3–0.4 kg/m² per allele – not destiny. Lifestyle factors dominate. Polygenic scores for cardiovascular risk have limited predictive accuracy for individuals. Many direct-to-consumer tests overstate their utility, mixing weak associations with marketing. A proper cardio risk assessment should rely on established clinical markers (blood pressure, cholesterol, smoking, diabetes). For weight loss, no genetic test replaces evidence-based dietary guidance. The gold standard for food intolerances remains elimination diet and provocation, not polygenic scores. Bottom line: These tests can offer hints but not reliable predictions. Medical evaluation is essential.