Genetics and coronary heart disease

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the single leading cause of death in America, accounting for about one of every five deaths [1]. Family history of premature parental CHD is associated with a twofold increased risk of cardiovascular disease, making it vital that providers know their patients' histories. For patients who do not know their family history, genetic testing is being considered as a means to someday fill this gap and will also increase the focus on prevention, provide better diagnostics, and help direct treatment options. This chapter summarizes findings about genes associated with CHD and raises practical and ethical issues that need to be addressed as this field of genetics evolves and before genetic testing at clinics becomes commonplace.