Genetic factors not only affect blood pressure (BP) elevation but also contribute to inter-individual variability in response to antihypertensive treatment. This article reviews the recent pharmacogenomics literature concerning the key classes of antihypertensive drugs currently in use (i.e., diuretics, β-blockers, ACE inhibitors, ARB, and CCB).
Full Answer
Is gene therapy effective in the treatment of hypertension?
Gene therapy for hypertension The control of hypertension and the resulting cardiovascular events is still insufficient. Thus, the search for novel means for blood pressure (BP) reduction remains worth further clinical and research attention.
Do genes influence the blood pressure response to antihypertensive drugs?
Evidence from pharmacogenetic studies suggests that genes influence the blood pressure response to antihypertensive drugs, although results are somewhat inconsistent across studies. There is still much work that remains to be done to identify genes both for efficacy and adverse events of antihypertensive medications.
What's new in genome-wide association studies on blood pressure and hypertension?
This review summarizes recent genetic discoveries that surround blood pressure, hypertension, and antihypertensive drug response from genome-wide association studies, while highlighting ancestry-specific findings and any potential implication for drug therapy targets.
How effective is pharmacological therapy for hypertension (high blood pressure)?
Pharmacological therapy is very effective in lowering BP and preventing CVD outcomes in most patients; first line antihypertensive medications include angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers, dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers and thiazide diuretics. INTRODUCTION
How genetic factors affect hypertension?
Hypertension tends to run in families. Individuals whose parents have hypertension have an elevated risk of developing the condition, particularly if both parents are affected. However, the inheritance pattern is unknown. Rare, genetic forms of hypertension follow the inheritance pattern of the individual condition.
How is genetic hypertension treated?
Gene therapy for hypertension is needed for the next generation of antihypertensive drugs. Current drugs, although effective, have poor compliance, are expensive and short-lasting (hours or one day). Gene therapy offers a way to produce long-lasting antihypertensive effects (weeks, months or years).
Can genetic hypertension be controlled?
Some causes can't be prevented, like genetics and age. High blood pressure often runs in families. Genetic risk is complex, probably resulting from a combination of harmful mutations in risk genes and silencing of protective genes. There is nothing we can do to change our genetics, just as we can't stop aging.
How can you prevent genetic hypertension?
Prevent High Blood PressureEat a Healthy Diet. Choose healthy meal and snack options to help you avoid high blood pressure and its complications. ... Keep Yourself at a Healthy Weight. ... Be Physically Active. ... Do Not Smoke. ... Limit How Much Alcohol You Drink. ... Get Enough Sleep. ... References.
Is hypertension genetic or hereditary?
A parent with high blood pressure can pass along a gene to a child, raising that person's risk of developing hypertension one day. Familial hypertension may also result from a family lifestyle that includes high blood pressure risk factors, such as smoking or an unhealthy diet.
Which gene is responsible for hypertension?
Angiotensinogen (AGT) AGT was the first gene to show linkage with human essential or primary hypertension. In addition to linkage to the AGT locus, hypertension and plasma angiotensinogen levels were both found to be associated with the 235T and 174M variants of AGT.
How do genetics affect blood flow?
The gene activates signaling pathways during lack of oxygen to cells or tissues and promotes angiogenesis to supply adequate amounts of oxygen to cells or tissue. An increase in oxygen supply plays a vital role in an athlete's performance and increasing endurance.
How do you manage hypertensive patients?
TreatmentEating a heart-healthy diet with less salt.Getting regular physical activity.Maintaining a healthy weight or losing weight if you're overweight or obese.Limiting the amount of alcohol you drink.
How does family history affect hypertension?
Presence of a family history significantly increased the risk of hypertension (OR: 1.29; 95 % CI: 1.13-1.47). The prevalence of hypertension was higher in those with a family history of hypertension at all levels (parents, grandparents, siblings and children) than those without a family history (Table 1).
How does hypertension affect blood pressure?
A high force of blood flow can damage and weaken your blood vessels. Over time, hypertension can harm different organs, including the heart, kidneys, brain, and eyes. To learn more about how genes might affect our blood pressure, 3 international research teams that included NIH researchers analyzed hundreds of thousands ...
What role do loci play in blood pressure?
Analyses suggested that many of the newly identified loci may play a role within cells lining blood vessels in controlling blood pressure. There was no enrichment of a single predominant genetic pathway in the data, reflecting the complexity of blood pressure influences.
Does high blood pressure damage blood vessels?
High blood pressure can damage your blood vessels and harm important organs. Wavebreakmedia Ltd/Thinkstock. Blood delivers nutrients and oxygen to all parts of your body. High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a common disease in which blood flows through blood vessels at higher than normal pressures. A high force of blood flow can damage and ...
Does genetics affect blood pressure?
Large-scale studies of the genetic influences on blood pressure revealed dozens of new genetic variations associated with a risk of high blood pressure. The findings will lead to a better understanding of the complex factors that affect blood pressure and may lead to new treatment approaches. High blood pressure can damage your blood vessels ...
Is high blood pressure a cause of stroke?
They also highlight potential new targets for treating hypertension. “High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a major cause of heart disease and stroke worldwide, but its underlying causes are poorly understood,” says Dr. Christopher Newton-Cheh of Massachusetts General Hospital, a senior author of the first 2 papers.