New hypertension risk genes discovered

Gene variants influence the hypertension risk according to a research paper

13/09/2011

New risk genes for high blood pressure (hypertension) discovered. An international research consortium has compared the medical data of more than 200,000 Europeans and found 29 previously unknown genetic risk factors for hypertension. Their findings could help to significantly improve the treatment of hypertension in the future, the researchers hope. However, non-inherited risk factors remain the leading cause of hypertension.

As the scientists from around 200 research institutions discovered, the gene variants discovered significantly influence the risk of hypertension and diseases of the cardiovascular system. Researchers from MedUni Graz, Massachusetts General Hospital and Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions in Baltimore participated in the evaluation of the medical data of 200,000 Europeans. The International Consortium for Blood Pressure Genome-Wide Association Studies comprises a total of 346 scientists dedicated to the study of possible genetic risk factors for hypertension. The results of the researchers were in two studies in the latest editions of the journals „Nature“ and „Nature Genetics“ released.

Do not overestimate the importance of risk genes
The discovery of the new high blood pressure risk factors in the framework of the Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS) offers, according to the scientists another piece of the puzzle in the explanation of hypertension. However, their importance for the development of hypertension should not be overestimated, warned the British Heart Foundation, one of the sponsors of the current study. For the already known non-hereditary risk factors, such as obesity, unhealthy diet and lack of exercise have a much greater influence on the development of hypertension, as the newly discovered gene variants. However, even the risk genes make a not insignificant contribution. Some of the gene variants were already known to be risk factors for other diseases such as the so-called hemochromatosis (metabolic disease with excessive iron absorption). Two gene variants of the so-called HFE gene, which are considered to cause hemochromatosis, also influence the development of hypertension, according to the researchers.

Environmental factors as essential hypertension risk factors
The gene variants detected have been confirmed to be risk factors for hypertension in the international comparison of European data, the researchers report. Many of the gene variants can also be found in people from Africa and Asia, with the number of risk genes also increasing the risk of hypertension, according to the scientists. However, the non-genetic influences in the development of hypertension remain significantly more important than the discovered risk genes. According to the opinion of the German Hypertension League, these environmental factors such as incorrect, too-salty nutrition, lack of exercise and obesity are essentially responsible for the fact that hypertension is one of the most frequent causes of death in modern industrialized countries. Here, a change in eating habits, sufficient physical activity and a reduction in weight could contribute to a significant reduction in the number of hypertensive patients. According to the German high pressure league can be „serious sequelae“ Hypertension only by a general „Awareness of the blood pressure problem and the consistent therapy of hypertension“ avoid.

20 million Germans suffer from hypertension
Worldwide, more than 500 million people suffer from hypertension, in Germany, according to the German Hypertension League, about 20 million people affected, with many of those affected are not aware of their disease. According to experts of the German Hypertension League, for example, headaches, shortness of breath, nosebleeds, dizziness, blurred vision and nausea may be signs of hypertension. Possible sequelae include long-term damage to the blood vessels, heart attacks, strokes, vascular diseases (eg dementia) and renal insufficiency (kidney failure). Anyone who has signs of hypertension should urgently consult a doctor and ideally take additional initiative to tackle hypertension. (Fp)

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Picture: hamma