Higher levels of GDF-15 in the blood predict worse outcome: A significant correlation between GDF-15 and death (HR = 1.66 [SD 1.07–1.26] p < 0.001), heart failure (HR = 1.52 [SD 1.29–1.78], p < 0.001), and major cardiovascular events (HR = 1.26 [SD 1.14–1.41], p < 0.001) was found160. The gene discussed is GDF15; the disease is heart failure.