According to experts, closely monitoring blood pressure is crucial as one in every three adults globally has high blood pressure. This condition, also known as hypertension, leads to about 10 million deaths each year. Researchers from Queen Mary University of London have identified over 100 new regions of the human genome and 2,000 genetic signals that influence blood pressure. These findings may help doctors predict a person’s risk of developing high blood pressure. While factors like age, ethnicity, and existing health conditions can increase the risk of hypertension, lifestyle changes such as weight loss, healthy eating, reducing salt intake, exercise, and quitting smoking can help reduce this risk.
The study analyzed genetic data from more than 1 million individuals from various sources, identifying 113 novel regions of the human genome. These regions contain over 2,000 independent genetic signals for blood pressure regulation. Researchers used these findings to calculate polygenic risk scores, which can help identify individuals at high genetic risk for hypertension. Participants with the highest genetic risk had systolic blood pressure levels 17 mmHg higher than those with the lowest risk, and a seven times higher likelihood of developing high blood pressure.
Dr. Helen Warren, a senior lecturer in statistical genetics at Queen Mary University, explained that blood pressure is influenced by thousands of genetic variants, each having a small effect. By combining these effects into a polygenic risk score, a person’s overall genetic risk for hypertension can be determined. Earlier identification of genetic risk could lead to closer monitoring, lifestyle interventions, or therapeutic measures to reduce the impact of high blood pressure on health and prevent future cardiovascular disease.
Dr. Cheng-Han Chen, an interventional cardiologist at MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center, commented on the study’s significance in identifying genetic markers associated with hypertension. He believes that these findings can aid in the development of new diagnostic and treatment strategies for high blood pressure. By better identifying at-risk patients and developing targeted prevention strategies, future research can lead to improved management and outcomes for individuals with hypertension.
Chen emphasized the importance of leveraging genetic information to enhance hypertension prevention and treatment strategies. Understanding a person’s genetic risk for high blood pressure from an early age can enable healthcare providers to intervene with lifestyle modifications or medications to reduce the risks of cardiovascular disease in the future. Ultimately, the goal is to utilize these genetic insights to improve patient care and outcomes for individuals at risk for hypertension.
