Prevent of hypertension moves a step closer
Hypertension is the most important risk factor for cardiovascular disease bringing on stroke, heart and kidney diseases. It remains the leading cause of death worldwide and more than 25 % of adult Europeans have high blood pressure. Although hypertension is due to a combination of environmental and inheritable or genetic factors, it has proved very difficult to identify the genetic causes of hypertension. So far, genetic variations have been identified that explain only 1 or 2 % of the difference in blood pressure among the population. The EU's Framework Programme has supported research into cardiovascular disease for the last 20 years. An EU-funded network of excellence, the 'Integrated genomics, clinical research and care in hypertension' (Ingenious Hypercare) project worked on the genetics and mechanisms of hypertension and related diseases. During the project, 31 research groups in 13 European countries collaborated to identify which genetic variations play a part in hypertension. The researchers investigated individuals with extremes of blood pressure, comparing those with very high levels to those with completely normal blood pressure. The new research has identified a common mutation of the genes that produce two essential hormones – aldosterone and cortisol – in the adrenal gland as being influential in the development of hypertension. This gene variation is present in around 40 % of the population. Drugs that target aldosterone are already used to treat hypertension, so this study emphasises that they should be used more widely. In addition, the discovery will help in the development of new therapies for the disease. The Ingenious Hypercare project has been very successful in laying the foundation towards achieving better prevention of hypertension in Europe by identifying its genetic causes. However, a lot more work is required before we see the practical benefits of the research in new treatments to prevent high blood pressure.
