No-cost genetic screening for familial hypercholesterolemia is available for up to 100,000 people through myGenetics

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , around 11% of American adults are living with high total cholesterol – a key risk factor for heart disease, stroke and other health issues. Many lifestyle factors can affect your cholesterol levels, including diet, activity level and tobacco use.

But for some people, genetics can significantly increase their risk of high cholesterol. Why? Because genetic high cholesterol, or familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), can’t be managed through lifestyle changes alone.

This is where genetic health screening can help. And for up to 100,000 people, genetic screening for hereditary high cholesterol is available at no cost through myGenetics, a community health research study by HealthPartners. All you need is a HealthPartners online account to get started.

At this time, the myGenetics program is enrolling new participants and providing no-cost genetic screenings for changes in the LDLR, LDLRAP1, APOB and PCSK9 genes. These genes help tell the body to get rid of “bad” low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. But in cases of familial hypercholesterolemia, one or more of these genes don’t work properly, allowing fatty plaque to build up in the body’s veins and arteries. This can lead to heart disease and other health issues at a younger age than in people with non-genetic high cholesterol.

Most people with high LDL cholesterol don’t have familial hypercholesterolemia. But if you have a family history of FH, heart attacks or heart disease, or have high cholesterol that doesn’t respond to lifestyle changes, genetic screening may be right for you. Early detection of FH is key for getting on medication and looking after your heart health.

Once you’ve signed up for the study, we’ll guide you through making an appointment at a lab near you to provide a blood sample, which only takes around 15 minutes. You can also request an at-home collection kit to provide a saliva sample. Just follow the instructions included in the kit for collecting and returning your sample.

After you provide your sample, we’ll send it to our genomics partner Helix for DNA sequencing. Your genetic information will help us learn about the diseases in our community and how we can treat them more effectively. This genetic screening is offered at no cost to you, and health insurance is not required.

This study is voluntary and open to anyone 18 years old and older who hasn’t received stem cells or bone marrow from a donor. If you don’t already have a HealthPartners online account, you’ll just need to create one to verify your identity.

Keeping your health information secure is important to us. We follow federal privacy laws and myGenetics is overseen by an institutional review board.

myGenetics also looks at your genetic risk for breast and ovarian cancers, as well as Lynch syndrome, which is linked to colorectal and other cancers. Plus, you’ll get information about personal traits that have genetic components, such as your regional ancestry, muscle fiber composition, sleep patterns, caffeine sensitivity and more.

If screening shows that you have an increased risk for any of the hereditary conditions we screen for, we’ll contact you about your results, and help you schedule a no cost follow-up appointment with one of our genetic counselors. We’ll help you better understand your test results and identify any further care you may need.

The myGenetics community health research study is currently enrolling new participants. Joining gives you an opportunity to learn more about your personal risk for familial hypercholesterolemia and other hereditary conditions. The information you gain will help you take more personalized steps to manage your risks and improve your overall health. Plus, you’ll help us reach a better understanding of the causes of certain diseases and how we can improve how we treat them.

Registering for the study is easy. Just sign into your HealthPartners online account or create an account to verify your identity.