Blood pressure genetic risk score can predict risk of heart attacks and stroke.
Nearly half of all American adults have elevated blood pressure or hypertension and high blood pressure contributes to 65 percent of cardiovascular deaths in the US. Now researchers at University of Alabama at Birmingham have used genomic information to create a blood pressure “genetic risk score”.
Longevity. Technology: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide and is responsible for a significant burden of morbidity and mortality. As people age, their risk of developing CVD increases, making it a major contributor to the morbidity and mortality associated with aging. That there is a pressing need for research into CVD in order to identify effective strategies for prevention and treatment would seem obvious, but this research is particularly important as the global population is aging and the prevalence of CVD is expected to rise with it. However, having such an enormous number of people at risk brings extra problems – how can risks be quantified and determined on an individual basis? The answer could lie in understanding and leveraging genetic data.
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