The British Heart Foundation has outlined that around 620,000 people in the UK have a faulty gene which increases their risk of heart disease. Coronary heart disease has a range of well-established causes (see our information).  However, increased research into genetic susceptibility to developing heart conditions has identified faulty genes that can have a significant impact, causing heart disease or heart attacks, often with little warning.  As reported by BBC News, this has enabled the development of genetic testing services for people at high risk, but many people have no idea they carry these genes.  Prof Sir Nilesh Samani, British Heart Foundation medical director emphasised that more research is needed “to better understand these heart conditions, make more discoveries, develop new treatments and save more lives.” If you’re concerned about your risk of heart disease, or if you would like more information on how to check your genetic risk, see the British Heart Foundation.