Synergene offers tests for genetic risk factors that may contribute to an increased risk of developing cardiovascular diseases such as coronary heart disease and venous thrombosis.

Coronary heart disease is the most common form of heart disease and is caused by a narrowing of the coronary arteries that feed the heart. It is the number one killer of both men and women in the U.S. Each year, more than 500,000 Americans die of heart attacks caused by coronary heart disease. Many of these deaths could be prevented because the disease is related to certain aspects of lifestyle, many of which can be controlled. These include high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, smoking, obesity, and physical inactivity. Although medical treatment for coronary heart disease has come a long way, controlling risk factors remains the key to preventing illness and death from this disease.

Venous thrombosis is the formation of a blood clot in a vein, potentially causing serious health problems such as stroke and paralysis. It can be life-threatening. In the US, half a million people are hospitalised each year for deep vein thrombosis, leading to 50,000-100,000 deaths. Various factors contribute to an increased risk of thrombosis, including a family history of thrombosis and a clinical history of a thrombotic event. Pregnancy, oral contraceptive use, estrogen therapy, diabetes mellitus, immobilization, surgery, and malignancy further increase the lifetime risk of developing deep vein thrombosis.

Apart from risk factors related to lifestyle, there are also genetic risk factors associated with coronary heart disease and venous thrombosis. Knowledge of these inherited risk factors may encourage changes in lifestyle to avoid related risk factors and/or lead to therapeutic action.