Using genetics to personalize statin treatment for Veterans
Reducing Veterans' Risk of Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Through Pharmacogenomics Informed Statin Prescribing
This project uses genetic test results to help Veterans at high risk for heart disease choose and stick with the right statin so they can lower their cholesterol and heart risk.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Durham VA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11173607 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would receive a simple genetic test that reports common variants tied to how well statins work and the chance of side effects. Your clinicians would share those results along with your personal heart disease risk to guide conversations about starting or continuing a statin. The team will track whether this information changes how patients view statins, whether more Veterans accept treatment, and whether people stick with their medicine. The goal is to lower LDL cholesterol and reduce future heart attacks and strokes using a practical approach that can work in regular VA primary care.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are Veterans seen in VA primary care who are at high risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and who are not taking a statin or are hesitant about statin therapy.
Not a fit: Patients who already take and tolerate an appropriate statin, those without elevated cardiovascular risk, or people whose genetics do not change statin recommendations are unlikely to benefit directly.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, more high-risk Veterans could start and stay on effective statin therapy and achieve lower LDL cholesterol, which may lower their risk of heart attack and stroke.
How similar studies have performed: Earlier work by this group showed pharmacogenomic testing for statins is feasible, improved patient views of statins, doubled appropriate prescribing, and lowered cholesterol, though broader confirmation is still needed.
Where this research is happening
Durham, United States
- Durham VA Medical Center — Durham, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Voora, Deepak — Durham VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Voora, Deepak
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.