1 research outputs found
Genome-wide association analysis identifies novel blood pressure loci and offers biological insights into cardiovascular risk
Elevated blood pressure is the leading heritable risk factor for cardiovascular disease
worldwide. We report genetic association of blood pressure (systolic, diastolic, pulse
pressure) among UK Biobank participants of European ancestry with independent replication
in other cohorts, leading to discovery and validation of 107 novel loci. We also identify new
independent variants at 11 previously reported blood pressure loci. Combined with results
from a range of in-silico functional analyses and wet bench experiments, our findings highlight
new biological pathways for blood pressure regulation enriched for genes expressed in
vascular tissues and identify potential therapeutic targets for hypertension. Results from
genetic risk score models raise the possibility of a precision medicine approach through early
lifestyle intervention to offset the impact of blood pressure raising variants on future
cardiovascular disease risk