New research reveals genetic basis for blood pressure and hypertension tisk
blood pressure and, in turn, their risk of developing hypertension, according to a new research. Genomics is the study of an individual's entire genetic makeup, including the inter-relationships between genes, which are segments forming DNA that resides inside human cells.
Data from more than a million people were analysed to discover regions on the genome, including over a 100 new ones, linked to blood pressure. The international study, led by Queen Mary University of London, UK, is published in the journal Nature Genetics.
«Our study found additional genomic locations that together explain a much larger part of the genetic differences in people's blood pressure. Knowing a person's risk for developing hypertension could lead to tailored treatments, which are more likely to be effective,» first author Jacob Keaton, staff scientist at the National Human Genome Research Institute's (NHGRI), US, said.
Several of the newly discovered genome locations were found to be within genes important for iron metabolism.
The researchers said this result confirmed previous findings that high levels of accumulated iron could contribute to developing cardiovascular disease.
High blood pressure is known to run in families, which points to heredity. This means that a genetic component is involved in one developing the condition, in addition to environmental conditions, such as consuming diets high on salt, lack of exercise, smoking and stress, the team explained.
A consistently high blood pressure can damage the heart and blood
