Genetic test shows higher heart risk

People with the highest risk score based on the markers were 70 per cent more likely to develop heart disease than those with the lowest.

Each of the markers is a single-letter change in the genetic code, or single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP).

They are located in DNA regions previously associated with coronary heart disease and heart attacks.

Scientists used the SNPs to work out risk scores for more than 30,700 volunteers from Finland and Sweden whose progress was followed for about 11 years.

The test was able to identify the 20 per cent of individuals with a 70 per cent increased risk of a first episode of coronary heart disease.