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.

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.

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 FIBRINOGEN and FGB rs1800790

What does the FGB rs1800790 variant mean for my fibrinogen and heart health?

The FGB rs1800790 variant influences how much fibrinogen your liver produces. Depending on your genotype, baseline fibrinogen may be higher, slightly higher, or typical. Higher fibrinogen can make blood thicker and more prone to clotting in arteries, which is linked to increased risk for cardiovascular problems such as heart disease and stroke.

How do the FGB rs1800790 genotypes (AA, AG, GG) differ in cardiometabolic risk?

If you have AA, you carry two effect alleles associated with higher fibrinogen production, which may elevate risk for cardiovascular events. If you have AG, you carry one effect allele with a likely modest increase in fibrinogen and a modestly higher risk. If you have GG, you carry two non-effect alleles associated with typical fibrinogen levels and no increased risk tied specifically to higher fibrinogen.

Can diet, exercise, and lifestyle lower elevated fibrinogen risk linked to FGB?

Yes. Genetics account for about half of the variation in fibrinogen levels, while lifestyle and health factors account for the other half, including diet, body weight, physical activity, smoking, and chronic inflammation. Heart-healthy eating (Mediterranean or DASH style), maintaining a healthy weight, exercising (about 150 minutes/week of moderate aerobic activity plus resistance training when possible), quitting smoking, managing stress, and monitoring relevant blood markers can all help support healthier fibrinogen and cardiometabolic outcomes.

What tests can help me learn more about FIBRINOGEN and FGB rs1800790?

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.