HSA | FSA CARDS ARE NOW ACCEPTED

Last reviewed: May 12, 2026 Last updated: May 12, 2026

Written by: Jay Hastings , CEO of PlexusDx

Jay Hastings is the CEO of PlexusDx, a precision health company focused on genetic testing, blood biomarker insights, and personalized wellness recommendations. He has more than 20 years of experience across healthcare innovation, genomics, laboratory operations, healthcare investing, and strategic finance. His work has included scaling healthcare startups, leading CLIA lab integrations, and helping expand consumer access to precision health tools.

Medically reviewed by: Jayden Lee, PharmD, EMBA

Jayden Lee, PharmD, EMBA, is the PlexusDx Medical Science Liaison with a PharmD and MBA specializing in pharmacogenomics and clinical product development, with a proven ability to bridge the gap between genomic research and practical patient outcomes. Dr. Lee has more than 10 years of professional experience in clinical pharmacy, academia, and research.

Understanding Your AGTR1 Genotype and Blood Pressure

Blood pressure measures the force of blood pushing against artery walls and is essential for heart and overall health. One gene that influences blood pressure is AGTR1. AGTR1 makes the angiotensin II type-1 receptor, the primary docking station for the hormone angiotensin II. When angiotensin II binds to these receptors, blood vessels narrow and blood pressure rises. Variations in AGTR1 can change how many receptors are present or how active they are, which may affect your risk for high blood pressure and related cardiometabolic conditions such as insulin resistance and fatty liver.

How to Read This Result

This report refers to the rs5186 variant in AGTR1. The C allele is considered the effect allele, associated with increased receptor expression and higher risk. Your genotype may be:

  • CC — two copies of the effect allele (higher genetic risk)
  • AC — one copy of the effect allele (moderate genetic risk)
  • AA — zero copies of the effect allele (average genetic risk)
2 effect alleles — CC

If you have the CC genotype for rs5186, you carry two copies of the effect allele. This is associated with increased expression of angiotensin II type-1 receptors. With more of these receptors, angiotensin II can exert a stronger effect, narrowing blood vessels and raising blood pressure. Studies link the CC genotype to an approximately 2 to 7-fold increased risk of developing high blood pressure compared to other genotypes.

Beyond blood pressure, heightened AGTR1 activity may also increase risk of fatty liver disease and insulin resistance. Insulin resistance occurs when cells respond less effectively to insulin, which can raise the long-term risk for type 2 diabetes and other metabolic issues.

1 effect allele — AC

If you have the AC genotype for rs5186, you carry one copy of the effect allele. This is associated with likely increased expression of angiotensin II receptors compared to AA. Having additional receptors means angiotensin II has more docking stations, which can cause stronger blood vessel constriction and a moderately increased risk of developing high blood pressure compared to those without the C allele.

Because AGTR1 receptors are found in tissues beyond blood vessels, including the liver, the AC genotype is also linked to a moderately increased risk of fatty liver and insulin resistance. These conditions can influence broader cardiometabolic health.

0 effect alleles — AA

If you have the AA genotype for rs5186, you carry two copies of the non-effect allele. This genotype is associated with typical angiotensin II receptor expression levels. That means you do not carry the genetic C allele associated with increased AGTR1 receptor numbers and the associated 2 to 7-fold increased hypertension risk.

Your AGTR1 gene likely supports normal blood pressure regulation through the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system without this particular genetic risk factor for hypertension, insulin resistance, or fatty liver.

Practical Steps to Support Healthy Blood Pressure

Genes are one piece of the puzzle. Lifestyle, diet, sleep, and medications are powerful tools that influence blood pressure and cardiometabolic health regardless of genotype. The following recommendations are practical strategies you can discuss with your healthcare provider.

Diet

  • Reduce sodium intake. Aim to limit high-sodium processed foods and added salt. A lower-sodium diet helps most people lower blood pressure.
  • Increase potassium-rich foods. Fruits and vegetables such as bananas, spinach, sweet potatoes, and beans help balance sodium and support healthy blood pressure.
  • Adopt a DASH-style pattern. The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension approach emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and low-fat dairy, and has been shown to lower blood pressure.
  • Limit processed carbohydrates and added sugars. High intake is linked to insulin resistance and fatty liver risk.

Supplements

Supplements may help some people but should be used under medical supervision, especially if you are taking blood pressure medications.

  • Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil): May help reduce blood pressure modestly and support cardiovascular health.
  • Magnesium: Can support blood vessel function and may have a mild blood pressure lowering effect for people who are low in magnesium.
  • Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10): Some people experience modest blood pressure benefits.
  • Potassium supplements: Only when recommended and monitored by a provider, as excessive potassium can be harmful for certain medical conditions.

Lifestyle

  • Regular aerobic exercise. Aim for at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity activity, such as brisk walking, cycling, or swimming.
  • Maintain a healthy weight. Losing excess weight can substantially lower blood pressure for many people.
  • Limit alcohol intake. Excessive alcohol raises blood pressure; follow guideline limits and discuss individual recommendations with your provider.
  • Quit smoking. Smoking acutely raises blood pressure and harms cardiovascular health.
  • Manage stress. Practices such as mindfulness, deep breathing, yoga, or cognitive strategies can help reduce blood pressure over time.
  • Prioritize sleep. Aim for consistent, restorative sleep each night. Poor sleep quality and short duration are linked to higher blood pressure and metabolic risk.

Blood Tests and Monitoring

  • Routine blood pressure checks. Monitor at home and share readings with your healthcare provider to detect trends early.
  • Fasting glucose and hemoglobin A1c. These tests assess glucose control and insulin resistance risk.
  • Liver function tests and imaging if clinically indicated. These help evaluate fatty liver risk and progression.
  • Lipid panel. Cholesterol and triglyceride levels are important components of overall cardiometabolic risk.
  • Electrolytes and kidney function. Especially important if you are starting blood pressure medications or supplements that affect fluid and electrolyte balance.

When to Speak with Your Healthcare Provider

  • If your blood pressure is consistently elevated or you have symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, fainting, or severe headaches.
  • If you plan to start supplements that can affect blood pressure or interact with medications.
  • If you have other health conditions such as kidney disease, diabetes, or a history of liver problems.
  • If you want personalized guidance on diet, exercise, medications, or genetic risk interpretation.

Limitations and Next Steps

Genetic information provides insight into predisposition but does not guarantee outcomes. The AGTR1 rs5186 variant can influence risk, but environment, lifestyle, and other genes also matter. Use this result as one tool to guide prevention and monitoring. Consider sharing these results with your healthcare provider to create a plan tailored to your overall health.

PlexusDx does not provide medical advice. This educational report is intended to help you understand genetic predispositions. Always consult your healthcare provider before making medical decisions, starting or stopping medications, or beginning new supplements or major lifestyle changes.

If this genetic variant is present in your PlexusDx results, the following tests and reports are commonly used to explore it further:

🧬 Genetic Tests:

🧪 Blood Tests:

📄 Genetic Report:

Frequently Asked Questions About BLOOD PRESSURE and AGTR1 rs5186

What does the AGTR1 rs5186 C allele mean for my blood pressure risk?

The AGTR1 gene helps regulate blood pressure through the angiotensin II type-1 receptor. In your rs5186 result, the C allele is the effect allele and is linked to higher receptor expression and increased risk for elevated blood pressure. If you have one C allele (AC), risk is moderately increased; if you have two C alleles (CC), risk is higher (reported as about a 2 to 7-fold increase for high blood pressure compared to other genotypes).

How does the AGTR1 rs5186 genotype relate to insulin resistance and fatty liver?

Because AGTR1 receptors are found in tissues beyond blood vessels, variants that increase receptor expression may also influence broader cardiometabolic health. The CC and AC genotypes (carrying one or two C effect alleles) are associated with increased risk of insulin resistance and fatty liver, which can raise longer-term risk for type 2 diabetes and other metabolic issues.

What should I do to support healthy blood pressure if I have AGTR1 rs5186 risk alleles?

Genes are only one piece of the puzzle—lifestyle, diet, sleep, and medications still strongly affect blood pressure and cardiometabolic outcomes. Practical steps include reducing sodium and processed foods, increasing potassium-rich foods, using a DASH-style eating pattern, limiting added sugars/processed carbohydrates, exercising regularly (about 150 minutes per week), maintaining a healthy weight, managing stress, quitting smoking, and prioritizing sleep. You can also monitor with routine home blood pressure checks and consider labs with your healthcare provider (such as fasting glucose or A1c, lipid panel, and liver function tests if clinically indicated), especially before starting supplements like omega-3, magnesium, or CoQ10.

What tests can help me learn more about BLOOD PRESSURE and AGTR1 rs5186?

The Functional Health Genetic Test delivers over 750 personalized genetic insights across 10 in-depth genetic reports to support whole-body, systems-level health understanding. The Cardiometabolic Genetic Report translates your results into personalized, actionable guidance. Your healthcare provider can also recommend targeted blood tests based on your specific pathway results and health history to complement your genetic insights with current biomarker data.

Medical and Editorial Standards

Medical review process: This article was reviewed for medical accuracy, scientific clarity, evidence alignment, and appropriate discussion of genetics, medications, supplements, biomarkers, and health-related claims.

Sources and evidence: PlexusDx educational content is developed using peer-reviewed research, clinical literature, reputable medical references, and, where applicable, public health or regulatory guidance. References are included at the end of the article when scientific, medical, or health-related claims are discussed.

Commercial transparency: PlexusDx offers genetic testing, blood biomarker testing, personalized supplement recommendations, and related precision wellness services. Product mentions are intended to help readers understand available options and should not be interpreted as medical advice.

Important disclaimer: PlexusDx educational content is for informational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making decisions about medications, supplements, genetic testing, lab testing, or health-related care.