High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, affects one in every three adults globally and is responsible for about 10 million deaths each year. While risk factors such as age, ethnicity, and existing health conditions can increase the likelihood of developing high blood pressure, lifestyle changes like weight loss, healthy eating, exercise, and smoking cessation can help reduce this risk. Researchers from Queen Mary University of London in the United Kingdom have identified over 100 new regions of the human genome and more than 2,000 genetic signals that influence blood pressure, which may help predict an individual’s risk of developing hypertension.
The study, published in the journal Nature Genetics, analyzed genetic data from over 1 million individuals from various sources, including the UK Biobank and the United States Department of Veterans Affairs’ Million Veteran Program. The researchers identified novel regions of the human genome and independent genetic signals for blood pressure regulation. By calculating polygenic risk scores using these findings, they found that individuals with the highest genetic risk for hypertension had significantly higher systolic blood pressure levels and were seven times more likely to develop high blood pressure compared to those with the lowest genetic risk.
Polygenic risk scores take into account the combined effects of all associated genetic variants on blood pressure, providing a more comprehensive assessment of an individual’s genetic risk. This knowledge allows healthcare providers to identify patients with a high genetic risk for hypertension and recommend lifestyle or therapeutic interventions to reduce their blood pressure before it impacts their health. Dr. Helen Warren, the senior author of the study, emphasized the potential of genetic risk scores in improving the prediction and prevention of high blood pressure, which is often referred to as the “silent killer” due to its prevalence and asymptomatic nature.
Dr. Cheng-Han Chen, an interventional cardiologist, commented on the study’s significance in identifying genetic markers associated with hypertension and potentially improving clinical strategies for treating at-risk patients. He highlighted the importance of developing new diagnostic and treatment modalities for high blood pressure and preventing its progression. By leveraging genetic information to target individuals at higher genetic risk earlier in life, healthcare providers can monitor and intervene to reduce the long-term risks of cardiovascular disease associated with hypertension.
Overall, the study’s findings underscore the complexity of genetic influences on blood pressure regulation and the potential for personalized risk assessment and intervention strategies based on polygenic risk scores. By combining genetic insights with lifestyle modifications and targeted interventions, researchers aim to enhance the prevention and management of high blood pressure, ultimately reducing the global burden of hypertension-related morbidity and mortality.
