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Gene discovery may cut heart attacks
A genetic test to identify people at risk of heart disease could be available within two years
The research team including scientists from the UK and Germany looked at the genetic makeup of almost 2900 people with heart disease and compared the findings with nearly 4600 healthy people. The team discovered 6 new genetic markers that increased the likelihood of developing heart disease.
British scientists have made a major advance in their understanding of the link between a person's genetic makeup and their risk of heart disease. The research, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, raises the hope of a simple test that could spot people with a high heart attack risk.
They discovered that carrying one copy of the newly-identified gene variants increases the chances of developing heart disease by at least 20 per cent; carrying two such copies would increase the risk by over 40 per cent.
"We are not talking about rare genetic variants here, but rather variants that are very common in our population," said lead author Professor Nilesh Samani.
Heart disease is the UK's biggest killer, causing around 105,000 deaths a year. It is hoped that this latest discovery will dramatically reduce the numbers dying by allowing doctors to offer appropriate treatment and advice to those at risk.
"Understanding the genetics that lead to heart disease is a powerful tool to tell us how much risk a person faces," says Professor Samani.
Co-author Professor Alistair Hall believes that within two years a screening test could be available. "Ideally we are looking at a simple test that would be comparable to measuring blood pressure or cholesterol. My hope is that within 20 years, no-one under the age of 65 will be dying of a heart attack."
Professor Jeremy Pearson, Associate Medical Director of the British Heart Foundation welcomed the findings. "Discovering new genetic variants shows how powerful these exciting studies are," says Pearson.
However he was keen to stress that the study "demonstrates just how important it is to invest in a healthy lifestyle to help protect your heart, especially if you think your family history might put you at increased risk of heart disease."
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