What you carry at this position in your DNA and what research says about it.
Cardiovascular Health Risk: 9/10 evidence, 23 publications.
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Sample genotype (not yours): G/G
Typical Cardiovascular Risk
This genotype is associated with lower diastolic blood pressure and a lower risk of calcium buildup in the coronary arteries.
What this genotype means: Lower diastolic blood pressure; Reduced risk of coronary artery calcification.
Sample genotype (not yours): C/C
Higher Cardiovascular Risk
This genotype is linked to higher diastolic blood pressure and an increased risk of calcium buildup in the heart arteries.
What this genotype means: Higher diastolic blood pressure; Increased risk of coronary artery calcification.
Sample genotype (not yours): G/C
Intermediate Cardiovascular Risk
Carrying one copy of the C allele is associated with intermediate blood pressure levels and typical arterial calcification risk.
What this genotype means: Intermediate diastolic blood pressure; Typical coronary calcification risk.
Gene function and biological role
Gene Function: The IGFBP3 gene encodes insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 3, which is the primary carrier protein for insulin-like growth factors in the bloodstream [1]. By binding to IGF-1, this protein regulates its availability, half-life, and interaction with cellular receptors [2]. This pathway plays a critical role in controlling cell growth, tissue regeneration, and cellular survival throughout the body [1]. Variations in this gene can alter circulating levels of both the binding protein and active growth factors, influencing systemic physiological processes [2].
Variant Impact: The rs2854746 variant is a missense mutation in the first exon of the IGFBP3 gene, resulting in an alanine-to-glycine amino acid substitution at position 32 of the protein. This structural change directly influences the stability and circulating concentration of the binding protein in blood plasma [3]. The G allele is associated with the reference alanine residue, whereas the C allele encodes the variant glycine residue. This genetic alteration has systemic downstream effects on growth factor signaling and cardiovascular parameters [3].
Key Insight: This single amino acid change in a growth-factor carrier protein simultaneously influences adult height and arterial calcification risk.
Location: IGFBP3. Chromosome 7 · 7p12.3 · 45.9 Mb
Estimated prevalence by population
Global 39.3%; European 35.6%; African 47.5%; East Asian 6.2%; South Asian 40.8%; Americas 46.2%; Ashkenazi 29.2%; Finnish 42.3%; Middle Eastern 27.1%; Amish 17.3%.
Estimated GG genotype frequency.
Global 45.6%; European 48.1%; African 42.9%; East Asian 37.4%; South Asian 46.2%; Americas 43.5%; Ashkenazi 49.7%; Finnish 45.5%; Middle Eastern 49.9%; Amish 48.6%.
Estimated GC genotype frequency.
Global 15.1%; European 16.2%; African 9.7%; East Asian 56.5%; South Asian 13.1%; Americas 10.2%; Ashkenazi 21.1%; Finnish 12.2%; Middle Eastern 23.0%; Amish 34.1%.
Estimated CC genotype frequency.
Showing effects for G/G genotype
Cardiovascular & Metabolic
Hypertension
Blood Pressure. Evidence: 9/10. Source: PMID 30578418. Typical.
Vascular Health & Aneurysm
Arterial Calcification. Evidence: 6/10. Source: PMID 37770635. Typical Risk.
Endocrine & Reproductive
Hormone Levels & Endocrine Regulation
IGFBP-3 Levels. Evidence: 8/10. Source: PMID 34814699. Lower Levels.
Lifestyle, Fitness & Aging
Height & Body Size
Height. Evidence: 7/10. Source: PMID 40374629. Slightly Taller.
Showing effects for C/C genotype
Blood Pressure. Evidence: 9/10. Source: PMID 30578418. Increased.
Arterial Calcification. Evidence: 6/10. Source: PMID 37770635. Higher Risk.
IGFBP-3 Levels. Evidence: 8/10. Source: PMID 34814699. Higher Levels.
Height. Evidence: 7/10. Source: PMID 40374629. Slightly Shorter.
Showing effects for G/C genotype
Blood Pressure. Evidence: 9/10. Source: PMID 30578418. Slightly Increased.
Arterial Calcification. Evidence: 6/10. Source: PMID 37770635. Slightly Higher Risk.
IGFBP-3 Levels. Evidence: 8/10. Source: PMID 34814699. Intermediate Levels.
Height. Evidence: 7/10. Source: PMID 40374629. Typical Height.
What this genotype means for the people who carry it
Sample genotype: GG (Homozygous)
Individuals carrying the G/G genotype tend to have lower circulating levels of the IGFBP-3 binding protein [1]. This lower level of carrier protein corresponds to lower diastolic blood pressure measurements in large-scale genetic studies [2]. Additionally, this genotype is associated with a reduced risk of coronary artery calcification, which is a key marker of plaque buildup in the heart [3]. G/G carriers also tend to have slightly greater average height, reflecting differences in growth factor availability, and their overall cardiovascular profile is highly favorable [4]. Maintaining a heart-healthy lifestyle further supports these natural genetic advantages.
Lower diastolic blood pressure; Reduced risk of coronary artery calcification.
Sample genotype: CC (Homozygous)
Having two copies of the C allele is associated with significantly higher circulating levels of the IGFBP-3 binding protein [1]. This elevation in carrier protein levels is strongly linked to higher diastolic blood pressure in multi-ethnic cohorts [2]. Furthermore, clinical data associates the C/C genotype with an increased susceptibility to coronary artery calcification, which can contribute to arterial stiffness [3]. Although this genotype is also linked to slightly shorter stature, the primary clinical relevance lies in cardiovascular monitoring [4]. Standard cardiovascular wellness strategies, such as regular exercise and a low-sodium diet, are particularly beneficial for individuals with this genetic profile.
Higher diastolic blood pressure; Increased risk of coronary artery calcification.
Sample genotype: GC (Heterozygous)
The G/C genotype represents an intermediate genetic profile for growth factor binding and cardiovascular metrics. People with this genotype exhibit moderate levels of circulating IGFBP-3 protein compared to the homozygote groups [1]. Large population studies show that having one copy of the C allele results in a very modest increase in diastolic blood pressure [2]. The risk for coronary artery calcification is also near the population average [3]. Because this genotype represents a balance between the two homozygous states, it is generally considered to have a neutral impact on overall health.
Intermediate diastolic blood pressure; Typical coronary calcification risk.
Variants with shared genetic architecture
rs2854744 · IGFBP3 Gene · Chr 7 · IGFBP-3 Levels and Cancer Risk
rs3110697 · IGFBP3 Gene · Chr 7 · Blood Pressure and Hormones
rs12509595 · FGF5 Gene · Chr 4 · Blood Pressure Risk
Trans-ethnic association study of blood pressure determinants in over 750,000 individuals.
Content updated August 2026.
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