A gene variant that increases the risk of heart disease can be identified with a new test, which may help doctors determine who should take cholesterol-lowering drugs, researchers said.

A mutated form of the gene, known as KIF 6 is linked to a higher chance of developing coronary heart disease, according to three studies, which will be published in the January 29 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. Celera Group, a Rockville, Maryland-based DNA testing company that is developing two forms of a test to diagnose the variant, cited the test Monday.

“It’s a DNA test, and once you know your KIF6 status you know it for life. This test would be done in addition to other traditional risk-factor assessments such as cholesterol and blood pressure,” said Celera President Kathy Ordonez in a telephone interview with Bloomberg.

The new studies analyzed data from previous studies and examined 35 genetic variants that had been suspected of being associated with coronary heart disease. Only KIF6 was the most significant in developing coronary hear disease of all. This mutated form of the gene raised the risk by 55 percent, according to the new findings.

According to the National Institutes of Health, more than half a million Americans suffer from coronary heart disease each year, making it the nation’s leading killer. About 1.2 million Americans will have a coronary heart attack this year, according to the American Heart Association’s Web site. More than 60 percent of the population may carry KIF6, based on the combined research on about 30,000 people.

Tom White, Celera’s chief officer said the studies also demonstrated that common statin drugs, such as cholesterol-reducing drugs Lipidor and Pravachol, could significantly reduce the health risk associated with KIF6.

Celera hopes to have the Food and Drug Administration approval to sell a diagnostic test, which can help doctors identify patients with the KIF6 genetic factor. The test is being developed by Berkeley HeartLab of Burlingame, which Celera purchased in October for about $195 million in cash.