Blood Test May Predict Risk in Common Inherited Heart Disease: Guardian Report

A new blood test could help doctors identify which patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) face the greatest risk of serious heart complications, according to a landmark study reported by The Guardian.

Scientists from leading institutions, including Harvard Medical School and the University of Oxford, have found that measuring a specific protein in the blood can help forecast disease severity in people living with HCM—the world’s most common inherited heart condition.

How the Blood Test Works

In the study, researchers analysed blood samples from around 700 patients with HCM, measuring levels of a protein called N-terminal Pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP). This protein is released by the heart during normal pumping, but elevated levels indicate that the heart is under excessive strain.

Patients with the highest NT-proBNP levels were found to have poorer blood flow, increased scarring of heart tissue, and structural changes linked to serious complications such as atrial fibrillation and heart failure.

According to researchers, this simple blood test could allow doctors to identify high-risk patients early, enabling closer monitoring or timely, potentially life-saving treatment—while sparing low-risk patients from unnecessary interventions.

Experts Call It a Major Step Forward

Study lead Carolyn Ho, medical director of the Cardiovascular Genetics Centre at Harvard Medical School, told The Guardian that the test could help doctors “target the right therapies to the right patients at the right time.”

She added that ongoing research into blood biomarkers could eventually make risk assessment far more precise, giving patients clarity about their future health.

What It Means for Patients

One patient, Lara Johnson, 34, from Southampton in the UK, described how living with HCM brings constant uncertainty. Diagnosed eight years ago after experiencing breathlessness and fatigue, she later learned that several relatives also had the condition.

“A simple blood test that could identify future risks earlier would take away so much anxiety,” she told The Guardian. She said it would help patients plan their lives better and give families peace of mind.

Global Impact

British Heart Foundation, which funded the research, said the findings could benefit patients worldwide. Its chief scientific and medical officer, Bryan Williams, noted that predicting future risk is one of the biggest concerns for people diagnosed with HCM.

He added that understanding how blood proteins reflect heart function could also lead to new treatment approaches aimed at reducing long-term complications.

The findings represent a significant advance in personalised heart care and could shape the future management of inherited heart diseases.