Apolipoprotein E Genotype — APO E Genotype
The APOE gene affects blood cholesterol levels in response to dietary fat. Each person has any two of the three common variants, E2, E3 and E4. Having one or two E4 alleles results in higher ApoB levels and poorer response to exercise, diet and medication as well as an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and Alzheimer’s disease. Having at least one E2 allele results in lower ApoB and reduced cardiovascular and Alzheimer’s risk while E3 (the most common variant) results in a neutral risk.
Those with E4 variants require more aggressive treatment to achieve targets and reduce risk. They may also benefit from lower-fat diets, aerobic exercise and alcohol abstinence, all things that folks with E2 or E3 can tolerate with fewer adverse cardiovascular effects.
This test is done only once in a patient’s life as there is currently no way to change genotype.
Cost
Between $400 and $500 TTD [Cardio IQ]