Gene therapy is an experimental treatment for a variety of different medical conditions, including heart disease. The technique uses harmless viruses to transport healthy genes into human cells that contain defective or missing DNA. Today, researchers are actively studying and testing this noninvasive technique that could offer hope to heart patients around the world. Gene therapy for heart disease has one of three goals:

By identifying the genes that place people at greater risk of heart attack or other cardiovascular conditions, diagnostic tests may become available to help identify people who are at high risk and give them a chance to change their diet, exercise habits or even some of their genes.

Although this type of treatment offers great hope, it is important to remember that much more research will be necessary before gene therapy is as specific as possible, such that a specific gene can target a specific site, with no other effects, with fully safe and highly effective results. There is a long way to go before gene therapy will be offered as a cure for heart disease or a guaranteed vaccine against atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries).