Haptoglobin (Hp) is a protein involved in recycling essential parts of red blood cells when they die. There are three types of Hp protein and each person produces only one. Your genetics determines which of the three Hp proteins you produce. This is known as your haptoglobin genotype and can be a risk factor for certain diseases.
Your chances of having heart disease or stroke depends, in part, on which Hp genotype you have. This is especially true for those with diabetes, for whom cardiovascular disease is a major cause of death. Those with the Hp2-2 genotype and diabetes have a 500% greater risk of heart attack or stroke than those with the Hp1-1 genotype¹.
This test identifies your Hp genotype. Knowing this helps your healthcare professional choose a treatment to help lower your risk of heart attack or stroke, including vitamin E therapy. Vitamin E therapy decreases the risk of experiencing a cardiovascular event among those with the Hp2-2 genotype and diabetes². However, vitamin E therapy may increase the risk of heart disease among those with the Hp2-1 genotype and diabetes³. This is why it’s so important to know your Hp genotype before you choose an appropriate therapy.
Knowing your haptoglobin genotype can help you and your healthcare professional make treatment choices to reduce your risk of heart attack or stroke, especially if you have diabetes. As your genetics don’t change over the course of your lifetime, you only need to take this test once.
While you can’t change your Hp genotype, you can lower your risk for heart attack and stroke by adopting a lifestyle that includes regular exercise, not smoking, and consuming a heart-healthy diet. This test is especially important for those with diabetes.
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