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Understanding Your ITGB3 Genotype and Heart Health

Heart disease covers conditions that affect the heart's structure and function, and it is often linked to problems with blood sugar, cholesterol, and blood pressure. One gene that can influence heart disease risk is ITGB3. This gene helps make a protein on the surface of platelets. Platelets are the blood cells that help stop bleeding by forming clots. Variations in ITGB3 can change how platelets behave, which may affect your chance of forming harmful clots that can cause heart attacks or strokes. Some of these variations can also change how well aspirin prevents clots.

How to Read Your Result

Your genotype at the ITGB3 rs5918 location is reported as two letters: C or T. These letters indicate which versions of the gene you inherited. Below you will find an explanation of what each result means and practical steps you can take to support your heart health. Remember, genetics is only one part of heart disease risk. Lifestyle, clinical factors, and medical history are also very important.

Two effect alleles (CC)

What CC means

If you have the CC genotype, you carry two copies of the effect allele. This genotype is associated with an increased risk of heart disease related to platelet behavior. Your platelets may be more likely to form clots inside blood vessels, increasing the risk of heart attack or stroke. This variant may also reduce how well aspirin prevents clots for you.

Clinical implications

  • This genotype may mean less protective benefit from aspirin for primary prevention. Do not start or stop aspirin without medical advice.
  • Your provider may consider alternative antiplatelet strategies or closer monitoring if you are at high cardiovascular risk.

Actionable steps

  • Talk with your healthcare provider about your cardiovascular risk and whether aspirin or other medications are appropriate.
  • Get regular blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar checks. Keep these in target ranges recommended by your provider.
  • Adopt a heart-healthy diet: focus on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats such as olive oil and nuts.
  • Exercise most days: aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate activity per week or 75 minutes of vigorous activity.
  • Maintain a healthy weight and manage stress with techniques like mindfulness, breathing exercises, or counseling.
  • Avoid smoking and limit alcohol intake.

Supplements and tests to discuss

  • Omega-3 fatty acids may support heart health. Discuss dose and formulation with your provider.
  • Magnesium can help with blood pressure and heart rhythm, but talk to your provider about testing levels and dosing.
  • Consider testing for traditional risk markers: lipid panel, HbA1c or fasting glucose, and high sensitivity C-reactive protein if recommended by your provider.
One effect allele (CT)

What CT means

If you have the CT genotype, you carry one copy of the effect allele. This is associated with a somewhat increased risk of heart disease compared to the non-effect genotype. Your platelets may be more prone to forming clots in blood vessels, and aspirin may be less effective for clot prevention in people with this variant.

Clinical implications

  • Your response to aspirin for preventing heart attack may be reduced. Decisions about aspirin should be individualized with your provider.
  • This genotype is one factor among many that influence cardiovascular risk.

Actionable steps

  • Discuss your genotype with your healthcare provider along with your overall risk profile to decide whether aspirin or other preventive measures are appropriate.
  • Prioritize blood pressure, cholesterol, and glucose control through lifestyle and medications when indicated.
  • Follow a Mediterranean-style dietary pattern: plenty of vegetables, legumes, whole grains, fish, and modest dairy and lean meats.
  • Stay active: include aerobic activity and muscle-strengthening exercises weekly.
  • Quit smoking and limit alcohol. Work with a provider or cessation program if needed.

Supplements and tests to discuss

  • Omega-3 supplements may be beneficial for some people. Confirm with your provider before starting.
  • Monitor standard cardiovascular labs regularly: lipid panel, fasting glucose or HbA1c, and blood pressure readings at home.
No effect alleles (TT)

What TT means

If you have the TT genotype, you carry two copies of the non-effect allele. This is the most common result and is associated with standard platelet function and typical heart disease risk related to this genetic site. People with this genotype usually respond to aspirin as expected if their provider recommends it.

Clinical implications

  • Your platelet function is likely typical with respect to this genetic variant.
  • Aspirin therapy for prevention should follow usual clinical guidelines and your provider's recommendation.

Actionable steps

  • Maintain standard preventive care: routine screening for blood pressure, lipids, and blood sugar.
  • Follow heart-healthy lifestyle practices: balanced diet, regular exercise, weight management, stress reduction, adequate sleep, and avoiding tobacco.
  • Talk with your provider about aspirin only if you have risk factors or a clinical indication.

Supplements and tests to discuss

  • Omega-3s and magnesium may support cardiovascular wellbeing for some people. Discuss with your provider before starting supplements.
  • Routine preventive labs as recommended by your clinician.

Practical Lifestyle Recommendations

  • Diet: Emphasize whole foods. Aim for a variety of colorful vegetables and fruits, whole grains, legumes, fish at least twice per week, and healthy fats like olive oil and nuts. Limit processed foods, added sugars, and trans fats.
  • Exercise: Target at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise per week and include resistance training two or more days weekly.
  • Weight: Maintain a healthy weight for your body type. Even small weight loss if you are overweight can lower cardiovascular risk.
  • Sleep: Aim for 7 to 9 hours per night. Poor sleep is linked to higher blood pressure and metabolic problems.
  • Stress management: Regularly use techniques that work for you, such as deep breathing, walking, meditation, or counseling.
  • Smoking and alcohol: Avoid tobacco entirely and limit alcohol to recommended amounts or none at all.

When to Talk to Your Healthcare Provider

  • If you are considering aspirin to prevent heart attack or stroke. Do not start or stop aspirin based on this report alone.
  • If you have a personal or family history of heart disease, stroke, blood clots, or early cardiovascular events.
  • If you want a tailored prevention plan that combines your genetic information with clinical risk factors.
  • If you are planning to start supplements that affect bleeding risk, blood pressure, or interact with medications.

Important Disclaimer

PlexusDx provides educational information about genetic predispositions only. This report does not provide medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or a qualified health professional before making changes to medications, starting or stopping aspirin, or beginning new supplements or treatment plans.