Your DNA could reveal a hidden heart attack risk: Scientists uncover the genetic code behind high cholesterol

In a major scientific breakthrough, researchers have created the first comprehensive genetic resource to identify people at risk of dangerously high cholesterol and heart disease, even if their cholesterol levels appear normal. The international study, led by scientists from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, mapped more than 17,000 genetic variants of the LDL receptor (LDLR) gene, revealing how tiny DNA changes can influence the body’s ability to clear “bad” cholesterol from the bloodstream. The findings, published in the journal Science (2025), could transform how clinicians predict and prevent heart attacks. Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States, claiming nearly 700,000 lives each year. While diet and lifestyle play a role, a signific