Coronary artery disease risk (9p21)

The 9p21 region is the most consistently replicated common genetic signal for coronary artery disease, the artery narrowing behind most heart attacks. Its effect is real but modest and works on top of, not instead of, lifestyle.

Possible results

Lower CAD risk (9p21). You don't carry the 9p21 coronary-artery-disease variant, so as far as this strongest common heart-risk gene goes, your risk sits at the baseline. Many genes and habits shape heart health, so this is one small piece.

Slightly higher CAD risk. You carry one copy of the 9p21 variant linked to coronary artery disease (narrowed heart arteries). It nudges your risk up modestly and acts independently of cholesterol and blood pressure, but not smoking, staying active and eating well still matter far more. It's a tendency, not a diagnosis.

Higher CAD risk. You have two copies of the 9p21 variant most tied to coronary artery disease, which raises your statistical risk more noticeably (the per-copy effect is still modest). Many people with this genotype never develop heart disease, and the usual heart-healthy habits plus regular checkups make a real difference.

Evidence & sources

This variant appears in 8 published genetic studies: PubMed 17554300 · PubMed 17634449 · PubMed 21606135 · PubMed 24262325 · PubMed 29212778 · PubMed 29472232 · PubMed 33321069 · PubMed 35915156.

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