What you carry at this position in your DNA and what research says about it.
Heart Rhythm and Pain Sensitivity: 7/10 evidence, 20 publications.
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Sample genotype (not yours): A/A
Higher Heart Rhythm Risk and Lower Pain Sensitivity
This genotype is associated with slower cardiac electrical conduction and a significantly higher physical pain threshold. Slower conduction can moderately elevate the risk of certain heart rhythm disorders.
What this genotype means: Moderately higher risk of sick sinus syndrome; Slower electrical conduction in the heart; Significantly higher physical pain threshold.
Sample genotype (not yours): A/G
Slightly Higher Heart Rhythm Risk
Carrying one copy of the A allele leads to a mild delay in cardiac electrical conduction. Pain sensitivity and heart rate recovery typically remain within the normal range.
What this genotype means: Slightly slower cardiac electrical conduction; Typical physical pain sensitivity; Near-average heart rate recovery after exercise.
Sample genotype (not yours): G/G
Typical Heart Rhythm Risk and Normal Pain Sensitivity
This genotype is associated with typical cardiac electrical conduction times and standard physical pain sensitivity. It also supports efficient heart rate recovery after exercise.
What this genotype means: Standard cardiac electrical conduction intervals; Typical physical pain sensitivity; Efficient heart rate recovery after exercise.
Gene function and biological role
Gene Function: The SCN10A gene encodes the alpha subunit of Nav1.8, a specialized voltage-gated sodium channel [1]. This channel is primarily expressed in nociceptive sensory neurons of the dorsal root ganglion, where it plays a critical role in transmitting pain signals to the brain [1]. Interestingly, research has also identified Nav1.8 expression within the heart, specifically in the cardiac conduction system [2]. Through its presence in these tissues, the gene influences both how the body perceives physical pain and how electrical impulses travel through the heart muscle [2]. Variations in this gene can alter channel activity, affecting heart rhythm and pain thresholds simultaneously [1] [2].
Variant Impact: The rs6795970 variant is a missense mutation in the SCN10A gene that results in an amino acid substitution from valine to alanine at position 1073 of the Nav1.8 protein [1]. This structural change alters the gating properties of the sodium channel, accelerating its inactivation phase [1]. Because the channel closes more rapidly, repetitive firing in sensory neurons is reduced, leading to a higher threshold for mechanical pain [1]. In cardiac tissue, this altered channel kinetics slows down the propagation of electrical signals [2]. Consequently, this single molecular change impacts both sensory perception and the timing of the heart's electrical cycle [1] [2].
Read on the Heart Rate Recovery page
Key Insight: A single genetic change in a sodium channel can simultaneously make a person less sensitive to physical pain while slowing down the electrical conduction of their heart.
Location: SCN10A. Chromosome 3 · 3p22.2 · 38.7 Mb
Estimated prevalence by population
Global 10.8%; European 15.6%; African 0.9%; East Asian 2.2%; South Asian 11.3%; Americas 10.4%; Ashkenazi 17.0%; Finnish 20.9%; Middle Eastern 15.0%; Amish 20.3%.
Estimated AA genotype frequency.
Global 38.1%; European 47.8%; African 16.8%; East Asian 25.3%; South Asian 44.6%; Americas 43.7%; Ashkenazi 48.4%; Finnish 49.6%; Middle Eastern 47.5%; Amish 49.5%.
Estimated AG genotype frequency.
Global 51.0%; European 36.6%; African 82.3%; East Asian 72.5%; South Asian 44.1%; Americas 45.9%; Ashkenazi 34.6%; Finnish 29.5%; Middle Eastern 37.5%; Amish 30.2%.
Estimated GG genotype frequency.
Showing effects for A/A genotype
Cardiovascular & Metabolic
Heart Rhythm & Conduction
Heart Rhythm. Evidence: 7/10. Source: PMID 33580673. ~1.12x Risk.
Cardiac Conduction. Evidence: 8/10. Source: PMID 20062061. Prolonged.
Organ Systems
Chronic Pain
Pain Sensitivity. Evidence: 3/10. Source: PMID 30538988. Lower Sensitivity.
Lifestyle, Fitness & Aging
Physical Performance & Endurance
Heart Rate Recovery. Evidence: 6/10. Source: PMID 29769521. Slower Recovery.
Showing effects for A/G genotype
Heart Rhythm. Evidence: 7/10. Source: PMID 33580673. Slightly Increased.
Cardiac Conduction. Evidence: 8/10. Source: PMID 20062061. Slightly Prolonged.
Pain Sensitivity. Evidence: 3/10. Source: PMID 30538988. Typical Sensitivity.
Heart Rate Recovery. Evidence: 6/10. Source: PMID 29769521. Typical Recovery.
Showing effects for G/G genotype
Heart Rhythm. Evidence: 7/10. Source: PMID 33580673. Typical Risk.
Cardiac Conduction. Evidence: 8/10. Source: PMID 20062061. Typical.
Heart Rate Recovery. Evidence: 6/10. Source: PMID 29769521. Faster Recovery.
What this genotype means for the people who carry it
Sample genotype: AA (Homozygous)
Carrying two copies of the A allele leads to a prolonged PR interval and QRS duration, which are measures of how long electrical signals take to travel through the heart [1]. This delay is linked to a moderately increased risk of sick sinus syndrome, a condition where the heart's natural pacemaker does not function optimally [2]. On the sensory side, this genotype is strongly associated with somatosensory hypoalgesia, meaning a higher threshold for feeling pain [3]. While a higher pain threshold might sound beneficial, it can sometimes mask important warning signs of internal inflammation, such as in inflammatory bowel disease [3]. Additionally, this genetic profile is associated with a slightly slower heart rate recovery after intense physical exercise [4]. Monitoring cardiovascular health and undergoing routine electrocardiograms during regular checkups can help manage these conduction tendencies.
Moderately higher risk of sick sinus syndrome; Slower electrical conduction in the heart; Significantly higher physical pain threshold.
Sample genotype: AG (Heterozygous)
Having a heterozygous genotype means electrical signals in the heart travel slightly slower than average, resulting in a minor prolongation of the PR interval [1]. This mild delay contributes to a very slight increase in the lifetime risk of developing conduction-related heart rhythm issues like sick sinus syndrome [2]. Unlike individuals with two copies of the A allele, those with this single copy generally experience typical pain sensitivity rather than pronounced hypoalgesia [3]. Heart rate recovery after exercise also tends to align closely with average population baselines [4]. Because the cardiovascular effects are mild, they rarely cause noticeable symptoms on their own but are useful context for overall heart health. Maintaining a heart-healthy lifestyle and discussing any unusual heart palpitations with a physician are standard protective measures.
Slightly slower cardiac electrical conduction; Typical physical pain sensitivity; Near-average heart rate recovery after exercise.
Sample genotype: GG (Homozygous)
Carrying two copies of the G allele represents the most common genetic profile, which is associated with optimal electrical conduction through the heart chambers [1]. Electrical intervals, such as the PR and QRS durations, typically fall within standard, healthy ranges [1]. Consequently, there is no elevated genetic risk for sinoatrial node dysfunction or sick sinus syndrome from this variant [2]. Physical pain sensitivity is also typical, meaning the body's natural warning systems for injury and inflammation function normally [3]. Furthermore, this genotype is linked to a more efficient and rapid heart rate recovery after periods of physical exertion [4]. Overall, this genetic makeup supports stable cardiovascular electrical patterns and standard sensory processing.
Standard cardiac electrical conduction intervals; Typical physical pain sensitivity; Efficient heart rate recovery after exercise.
Variants with shared genetic architecture
rs6801957 · SCN10A Gene · Chr 3 · Heart Rhythm and Conduction
rs10428132 · SCN10A Gene · Chr 3 · Cardiac Arrhythmia Risk
rs6800541 · SCN10A Gene · Chr 3 · Heart Rhythm and Conduction
Genetic variation in SCN10A influences cardiac conduction.
Genetic insight into sick sinus syndrome.
Content updated August 2026.
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