Polygenic Risk Score Recognized in 2026 ACC/AHA Guidelines

Allelica Multi-Ancestry CAD Polygenic Risk Score Study Cited

Mar. 16, 2026 at 7:53pm by Ben Kaplan

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Allelica, a leader in genomic risk assessment, announced that polygenic risk scores (PRS) have been recognized as a risk-enhancing factor in the 2026 American College of Cardiology (ACC) and American Heart Association (AHA) Guidelines for cardiovascular risk assessment. The guidelines also cite the Allelica study on a multi-ancestry polygenic risk score for coronary artery disease (CAD), highlighting the impact of Allelica's scientific research.

Why it matters

The inclusion of PRS in the ACC/AHA guidelines marks a significant milestone for the field and reflects a broader shift in cardiovascular prevention toward earlier detection of inherited risk and intervention before symptoms or clinical disease appear. This progress has the potential to change the trajectory of cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death worldwide.

The details

The adoption of PRS as a risk-enhancing factor provides clinicians with an additional tool for cardiovascular risk assessment, particularly useful in scenarios such as individuals classified as low risk but with a family history of premature cardiovascular disease, borderline-risk individuals where additional information can guide preventive strategies, and higher-risk individuals who remain uncertain about initiating statin therapy. Allelica is now focused on expanding access to genetic risk assessment and working with payers to broaden insurance coverage.

  • The 2026 ACC/AHA Guidelines were released on March 16, 2026.

The players

Allelica

A precision medicine company specializing in multi-ancestry polygenic risk scores (PRS) to predict genetic risk for common diseases in diverse populations.

Giordano Botta, PhD

CEO and Co-Founder of Allelica.

American College of Cardiology (ACC)

A professional medical society that provides education, research, and clinical practice guidelines for cardiovascular care.

American Heart Association (AHA)

A non-profit organization that focuses on cardiovascular health and research.

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What they’re saying

“The recognition of PRS in the ACC/AHA guidelines represents a fundamental step toward a future in which risk can be detected earlier, prevention is more precise, and many heart attacks can be avoided altogether.”

— Giordano Botta, PhD, CEO and Co-Founder of Allelica (PRNewswire)

What’s next

Allelica is actively working with payers to broaden insurance coverage so that preventive genetic testing can reach more patients across the healthcare system. The company has also implemented a financial assistance program to ensure that cost does not become a barrier for patients who may benefit from testing.

The takeaway

The recognition of polygenic risk scores in the ACC/AHA guidelines represents a significant milestone in the field of cardiovascular prevention, as it provides clinicians with an additional tool to identify individuals at risk and implement targeted preventive strategies, potentially reducing the burden of heart disease worldwide.