High blood pressure genetic clues
17 Sep BBC
More than 20 new sections of genetic code have been linked to blood
pressure by an international team of scientists.
Almost everyone will carry at least one of the genetic variants,
according to studies published in Nature and Nature Genetics.
Researchers believe their findings could be used to develop new
treatments.
The British Heart Foundation said lifestyle was still key to a
healthy blood pressure.
High blood pressure - or hypertension - can run in families as well
as being influenced by obesity, exercise and the amount of salt in the
diet.
While the lifestyle risks are well known, the genetic element of
hypertension has been poorly understood.
Researchers now say they have made a “major advance” in understanding
the role of genes.
In the first study, scientists from 24 countries around the world
analysed data from more than 200,000 people.
They identified 16 new points on the genome which were linked to
blood pressure. One of the lead researchers, Prof Mark Caulfield, from
Barts and The London Medical School, said each genetic variant was in at
least 5% of people, while some were much more common.
“This is having an influence across the population,” he said.
Uncovering the genetic basis of blood pressure has revealed processes
in the body which could one day be targeted with drugs.
One series of chemical reactions involving nitric oxide, which opens
up blood vessels, has been highlighted as a potential target. Gene
puzzle Prof Caulfield said: “There is substantial potential for moving
the findings from the lab to the clinic.
“There are, in development or in existence, drugs which could be
considered.”
However, researchers say they have still uncovered only 1% of the
genetic contribution to blood pressure.
A second study, presented in Nature Genetics, identified a further
six new stretches of genetic code.
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