In a GWAS study (genome-wide association study), a combination of epidemic studies and genome analysis, scientists investigated two million markers in genetic material of 87.000 probands world wide. The focus of the group of international scientists with participation of the Lübeck Professor Heribert Schunkert is on so called point mutations which are different between humans. A total of 14 genome analysis were evaluated. Thereby the genom from 22.000 patients with heart diseases have been compared with those of 60.000 healthy humans. The mechanisms of many of theses 13 risk genes are not well understood by now and are subject of further investigations.

In one to two years, a test for the determination of heart attack risk should be available.

More information: http://www.spiegel.de/wissenschaft/mensch/0,1518,749432,00.html