A recent research published in JAMA compared genetic testing to CT scans and discovered that CT scans are more accurate in predicting heart disease risk in middle-aged adults when traditional variables are also considered.

Doctors utilize a variety of indicators to determine a persons risk of having a heart attack, stroke, or other cardiovascular disorders. 

Scientists have proposed two techniques to enhance risk assessment: a polygenic risk score based on more than 6 million regularly occurring genetic variations linked with heart disease and a CT scan for coronary artery calcium, indicating atherosclerosis.

This study examined data from approximately 3,200 middle-aged and older persons aged 45 to 79 from two groups in the United States and the Netherlands. Based on traditional criteria, participants risk of cardiovascular disease was 6% to 7% on average, with 8% to 9% developing heart disease over the follow-up period. 

The risk estimate increased when the coronary artery calcium score was added to the traditional risk variables. The genetic score, on the other hand, showed no effect. 

When combined with traditional criteria, the study indicated that CT scans for coronary artery calcium perform better than genetic testing at determining a persons risk of heart disease throughout midlife.

(Source: https://www.healthline.com/health-news/ct-scans-may-be-best-for-predicting-heart-disease-risk-compared-to-genetics)