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Fibrinogen and Your Heart: What Your FGB Gene Means for Cardiometabolic Health

Fibrinogen is a key blood protein that helps form clots to stop bleeding by creating a mesh-like structure with platelets. It is produced mainly by the liver and acts as part of your body's natural response to injury and inflammation. When fibrinogen levels are higher than normal, blood can become thicker and more likely to clot inside arteries. Elevated fibrinogen is linked to increased risk for cardiovascular problems, including heart disease and stroke.

The FGB gene gives your body instructions for part of the fibrinogen protein. Variations in this gene can influence how much fibrinogen your liver makes. One common variation is the rs1800790 site. Depending on which version you carry, your baseline fibrinogen production may be higher, slightly higher, or typical compared with the general population.

How important is genetics?

Genetics account for roughly half of the variation in fibrinogen levels between people. The other half is influenced by lifestyle and health factors such as diet, body weight, physical activity, smoking, and inflammation from chronic conditions. That means even when your genes increase risk, everyday choices can have a big impact on your fibrinogen levels and overall cardiometabolic health.

2 effect alleles (AA) — higher fibrinogen production

If you have the AA genotype at rs1800790, you carry two copies of the effect allele. This genotype is associated with naturally higher fibrinogen production in the body. Higher fibrinogen can make blood thicker and more prone to clotting within arteries, which may elevate risk for cardiovascular events including heart attack and stroke.

Actionable considerations

  • Heart focused diet: Emphasize fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and fatty fish. Favor fiber rich foods and reduce refined carbohydrates and added sugars.
  • Healthy fats: Include sources of omega 3 fatty acids such as salmon, mackerel, walnuts, chia or flaxseed. Replace saturated fats with unsaturated fats from olive oil, avocado, and nuts.
  • Maintain healthy weight: Even modest weight loss can reduce inflammation and lower fibrinogen levels.
  • Physical activity: Aim for at least 150 minutes per week of moderate aerobic exercise, plus strength training two times per week when possible.
  • Quit smoking: Smoking raises fibrinogen and other markers of clotting and inflammation.
  • Stress management: Chronic stress can increase inflammation. Practice sleep hygiene, relaxation techniques, mindfulness, or counseling as needed.
  • Consider anti inflammatory supplements under professional guidance: Options sometimes used include omega 3 fish oil, curcumin, and vitamin D when deficient.
  • Monitoring: Ask your healthcare provider about periodic blood tests to check fibrinogen, lipid panel, blood glucose, and inflammatory markers as appropriate.

PlexusDx does not provide medical advice. Discuss genetic findings and any changes to diet, supplements, or medications with your healthcare provider.

1 effect allele (AG) — likely increased fibrinogen

If you have the AG genotype at rs1800790, you carry one copy of the effect allele. This variant is associated with a likely increase in fibrinogen levels and a modestly higher risk for heart disease and stroke compared with people who do not carry the effect allele.

Actionable considerations

  • Follow a heart healthy eating pattern: Mediterranean style or DASH style diets are good models. Focus on vegetables, fruit, whole grains, lean proteins, legumes, and healthy oils.
  • Limit processed and fried foods: These increase inflammation and can contribute to elevated fibrinogen over time.
  • Keep active: Regular cardio and resistance exercise support healthy circulation and metabolic health.
  • Weight management: Preventing excess weight reduces inflammatory burden and clotting risk.
  • Avoid nicotine and limit alcohol: Both can influence blood clotting and inflammation.
  • Consider supplements with oversight: Omega 3, vitamin D if low, and other anti inflammatory supplements can be helpful for some people. Talk with your provider before starting.
  • Regular health checks: Monitor blood pressure, cholesterol, blood glucose, and inflammatory markers as recommended by your clinician.

PlexusDx does not provide medical advice. Consult your healthcare provider before making changes based on this genetic information.

0 effect alleles (GG) — typical fibrinogen production

If you have the GG genotype at rs1800790, you carry two copies of the non effect allele. This genotype is associated with typical fibrinogen production levels and not linked to the increased fibrinogen associated with higher cardiovascular risk. However, fibrinogen and cardiometabolic risk are still strongly influenced by lifestyle and health status.

Actionable considerations

  • Maintain a balanced heart healthy diet to support normal fibrinogen and overall cardiovascular risk profile.
  • Stay active: Regular exercise supports healthy circulation, weight, and inflammation control.
  • Protect blood vessel health: Avoid tobacco, manage blood pressure and cholesterol if elevated, and control blood sugar when needed.
  • Manage stress and prioritize sleep: Both impact inflammation and cardiometabolic risk.
  • Preventive care: Continue routine health screenings and discuss any family history of heart disease or stroke with your provider.

PlexusDx does not provide medical advice. Speak with your healthcare provider to interpret these results in the context of your full health profile.

Diet and Supplement Recommendations

Diet and selective supplements can help lower inflammation and support healthy fibrinogen levels. Consider the following, after discussing with your healthcare provider:

  • Adopt a Mediterranean or DASH style diet emphasizing whole foods, high fiber, and plant based proteins.
  • Eat fatty fish at least twice per week or consider a high quality omega 3 supplement if dietary intake is low.
  • Prioritize fiber from whole grains, legumes, fruits, and vegetables to help improve metabolic health.
  • Choose cooking oils rich in monounsaturated fats such as extra virgin olive oil.
  • Limit processed meats, refined sugars, and trans fats which increase inflammation.
  • Consider supplements only under medical supervision: omega 3 fish oil, vitamin D if deficient, and curcumin for targeted anti inflammatory support in appropriate cases.

Lifestyle and Monitoring

  • Exercise: 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity per week plus resistance training when possible.
  • Weight management: Aim for gradual, sustainable weight loss when indicated to reduce inflammatory markers.
  • Tobacco cessation: Stopping smoking quickly lowers clotting risk and improves vascular health.
  • Sleep: Prioritize 7 to 9 hours per night and treat sleep apnea when present.
  • Stress reduction: Use techniques that work for you including breathing exercises, yoga, therapy, or regular social support.
  • Regular testing: Work with your clinician to monitor blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose, and inflammatory markers including fibrinogen if warranted by your history.

Putting Your Results in Perspective

Genetic information like FGB rs1800790 provides a snapshot of one factor that influences fibrinogen. It does not determine your destiny. Modifiable habits often have equal or greater influence than a single genetic variant. Even with an increased genetic predisposition, many people lower their risk with healthy lifestyle choices and appropriate medical care.

PlexusDx does not provide medical advice. This information is educational and meant to help you understand genetic predispositions. Always consult with your healthcare provider before making medical, diet, supplement, or lifestyle changes based on genetic test results.