Scientists have identified a genetic flaw which increases the risk of heart disease and heart attacks. Researchers from the US and Canada found that that up to one in four white people carries the section of DNA which increases the risk of heart disease by around 40%. Whilst in Iceland researchers found the same genetic variant was linked to a fifth of heart attacks.
Both teams of researchers scanned the genomes of patients who had coronary heart disease or who had suffered a heart attack to see if there were any differences between them and healthy people. The US/Canadian scientists found a section of DNA, called an allele, n a specific chromosome which was associated with heart disease. They studied 23,000 people and found that those with one copy of this allele had a moderately increased risk of heart disease, whilst those with two copies, which accounts for about 20-25 % of white people, have a 30 to 40% higher risk of heart disease than individuals who carry no copies.
Professor Ruth McPherson, of the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, who worked on the study, said: "The effect is less than that of smoking or having a high cholesterol level. Nonetheless, screening healthy people for this genetic marker could provide information on future risk of heart disease and help identify those individuals who would benefit most from early applications of strategies to reduce heart disease risk."
The US/Canadian researchers now plan to check if the findings also apply to people from black and Asian ethnic minorities too.
Meanwhile in Iceland, the study of 17,000 people looked at the same strand of DNA. They also found that more than 20% of people had two copies of the faulty allele which led to a 60% increased risk of heart attack, compared with those who with no copies. Dr Kari Stefansson, who led the research for the Decode genetics company, said if those at risk of heart attacks were identified, then they could be given medications such as statins, or cardiac procedures - as well as healthy living advice - to reduce their risk.
Despite the research by both sets of scientists it still remains unclear why this particular area of the genome is linked to heart disease, although researchers believe it may be associated with hardening and narrowing of the arteries.
Professor Peter Weissberg, medical director of the British Heart Foundation, said: "Trying to find genes that put some families at an increased risk of heart attacks is like trying to find a collection of needles scattered amongst a field full of hay-stacks. The significance of these two studies is that two independent research teams have homed in on the same hay-stack. This makes it very likely that they are close to identifying a needle - an important gene in that region. This will take a lot more research and - once found - the gene will be only one of several that are important. This research represents an important step along a very long journey, but a step in the right direction."
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Frequently Asked Questions
Alzheimer's disease diagnose with a simple blood test
By: vena_cava | 16-10-2007
I've recently read about the pathbreaking research done in Stanford, that will enable doctors diagnose Alzheimer's disease with a simple blood test.So far for diagnosing, but what about curing this awful disease? aren't there any breakthroughs in finding a medication for it?
When referring to an agent of a disease, what is ...
By: lfaraci | 06-10-2007
When referring to an agent of a disease, what is the definition of agent, is there another word that means the same?
Anybody have stents done to there veins???
By: ammo284 | 11-09-2007
Anybody have stents done to there veins???
How dark choclate can keep heart healthy explain ...
By: momina | 07-09-2007
how dark choclate can keep heart healthy explain?and what are thr other good effects of dark choclate on heart?
Today my doc examined me (checked my blood ...
By: Kwalon5 | 06-09-2007
Today my doc examined me (checked my blood pressure and chest) and gave me an EKG but I'm still getting random pains around different parts of my body. I also get pressure pains around my heart that are off and on and my heart seems to flutter at times as if I had a heart murmur of some sort. Should I be concerned still of my heart having some sort of ailment or could it just be all in my head?
Today my doc examined me (checked my blood ...
By: floydian1987 | 05-09-2007
Today my doc examined me (checked my blood pressure and chest) and gave me an EKG but I'm still getting random pains around different parts of my body. I also get pressure pains around my heart that are off and on and my heart seems to flutter at times as if I had a heart murmur of some sort. Should I be concerned still of my heart having some sort of ailment or could it just be all in my head?
Q&A Powered by:
Latest Non-Fiction Articles
Write a How to Book First to Sell Way More
By: Earma Brown | 21/08/2008
Did you know Americans alone spend $8.5 billion a year on how-to and self-help information products and services?
Don't Let Good Grammar Spoil Good Writing
By: Philip Yaffe | 19/08/2008
Good grammar is fundamental to good writing, right? Wrong. However, years of experience working with people who use English as a second or third language have demonstrated that focusing too much on grammar can actually be detrimental to good writing. It's a question of priorities.
Modern Helicopters-the Eh-101 Merlin
By: K. Crockett | 16/08/2008
AgustaWestland is a joint venture formed by Agusta of Italy, makers of the A-109, and Westland of Great Britain, makers of the Lynx. The EH-101 is a direct competitor to the Sikorsky S-92 and was developed for both military and civil roles.
Animals
By: shivani suraiya | 15/08/2008
All about animals. About their origin, their lifestyles and their habitats including some interesting facts on different subjets. mostly based on mammals overing all extinct mammals around the world and which are not very well known.
The Three Speech Writing SECRETS You MUST Know - The Definitive Speech Writing How to Guide
By: Stuart Brown | 15/08/2008
In this article I am going to explore several techniques as to how you can improve your speech writing abilities, and also how to approach writing a speech for certain different circumstances. Whether it be for a wedding, where perhaps you are the best man, or for an important business meeting where you really need to impress. And tell you the three secret ingredients every speech needs.
Writing Your Thoughts – the Carrot and Stick Strategy
By: Nick Sanders | 14/08/2008
When you are writing, having a strategy in mind is rather useful – especially when you are wanting your reader to commit to something or someone. You will want to lead the reader in the direction you intend to finish upon and don’t want to cause confusion and misdirection in your writing. Here are a few tips on the carrot and stick strategy of writing that is good to use in a time of need.
Science: Guaranteed to Curb Creative Thinking!
By: Natasha | 13/08/2008
In today's sci- fi world dominated by facts and figures, the essence of life and belief in God's miracles have been thrust aside as illogical and futile, nonetheless God NEVER fails to surprise us....
How to Develop Your Book’s Structure
By: Melinda Copp | 12/08/2008
A man came to me last week because he needed help writing his book. He told me that he’s had this project on his to-do list for years, but he just couldn’t seem to get started. He’s literally been staring at the task—start writing my book—almost every day, and when he came to me, he still hadn’t done it.
More from Chris Marshall
Building A Home Cinema System
By: Chris Marshall | 16/05/2008 | Art and Entertainment
When planning and buying your cinema home room it is always a good idea to browse the Internet fully and consider what options will be best for you and what will be best equipment for situation depending on many things such as budget and the space you have.
Selling Online Advice And Tips
By: Chris Marshall | 16/05/2008 | ECommerce
When you are looking into selling your items on auction websites such as ebay there are plenty of things to consider that can help the transaction go as smoothly as possible.
Fat Loss Advice - Diet Exercise Fat Loss Weight
By: Chris Marshall | 13/05/2008 | Weight Loss
People searching for fat loss advice are often people who want information about the best ways to lose weight and what will be most effective for them personally.
Market Competition Perfect and Monopolistic Competition
By: Chris Marshall | 07/05/2008 | Sales
The business community continually changes and ownership of businesses change hands as smaller entities are swallowed up by bigger corporations. We hear about it all the time in the news, but yet very few people can name a example of monopolistic competition, or realise what the definition monopolistic competition is.
Geothermal Energy Facts: Geothermal Energy Pros and Cons
By: Chris Marshall | 27/04/2008 | Environment
There is much talk about climate change, and the search for viable renewable energy sources. Everyone knows about the likes of solar, wind and wave power. But fewer have heard of geothermal, or know how does geothermal energy work.
Why Grand Theft Auto 4 Is The Biggest Video Game Of 2008
By: Chris Marshall | 26/04/2008 | Computer Games
Grand Theft Auto 4 is set to be released next week and game analysts are suggesting that it is not only the biggest release of the year but also the game that could really push on the sales of the next generation consoles.
Global Warming - Does Global Warming Lead To A High Death Rate
By: Chris Marshall | 26/04/2008 | Environment
Global warming can affect everything and it could eventually affect the death rate of our population if things do continue to get worse over the next few years.
Rockstar Reveals Details About About GTA4 New Online Modes
By: Chris Marshall | 24/04/2008 | Computer Games
Rockstar have revealed some brand new details about some of the different online modes in the next version of Grand Theft Auto.
Writing 
