Being able to identify people at risk from a future heart attack has taken a step closer to reality after the biggest ever study of its kind discovered over a dozen genes associated with the condition.
Scientists from all over the world, including Britain, studied the genetic make up of more than 140,000 people to find DNA faults in those susceptible to coronary heart disease.
They discovered 13 new genes associated with the risk – doubling the number already known.
The findings could lead to new treatments for the disease and open the possibility of diagnosing those at risk from the condition in the future.
Professor Nilesh Samani, of the British Heart Foundation and the University of Leicester, who co-led the international research programme, said most of genes identified were not previously known to be involved in the development of coronary heart disease,
Professor Samani said: “The most exciting thing about our study is that we have discovered several new genes not previously known to be involved in the development of coronary heart disease, which is the main cause of heart attacks.
“Understanding how these genes work, which is the next step, will vastly improve our knowledge of how the disease develops, and could ultimately help to develop new treatments.”
The study involved over 167 clinicians and scientists from UK, Europe, Iceland, USA and Canada and more than 140,000 participants.
The researchers assessed the genetic codes of people to search for variations in DNA that are more likely to be found in people with coronary heart disease.
Professor Peter Weissberg, Medical Director at the BHF, added: “As more and more large scale genetic studies are carried out we are beginning to identify genes that may play a significant, though small, role in the development of heart disease.
“Each new gene identified brings us a small step closer to understanding the biological mechanisms of cardiovascular disease development and potential new treatments.”
Interestingly, only three of the 13 new gene regions appear to be linked to coronary disease through traditional risk factors such as high cholesterol and blood pressure, diabetes, smoking and obesity.
Heart and circulatory disease is the biggest killer in Britain and heart disease alone causes 91,000 deaths a year.
It is thought around six million people are taking statins to reduce levels of LDL-cholesterol in their blood which is a major risk for heart disease and 2.6 million people have been diagnosed with heart disease.
Meanwhile scientists have identified a single mutated gene that causes Hajdu-Cheney syndrome, a disorder of the bones causing progressive bone loss and osteoporosis or fragile bones.
The study gives vital insight into possible causes of osteoporosis and highlights the gene as a potential target for treating the condition.
There are only 50 reported cases of Hajdu-Cheney syndrome (HCS), of which severe osteoporosis is a main feature.
Osteoporosis is a condition leading to reduction in bone strength and susceptibility to fractures.
It is the most common bone disease, with one in two women and one in five men over 50 in the UK fracturing a bone because of the condition.
The team of scientists, led by King’s College London and Guy’s and St Thomas’, identified NOTCH2 as the gene.
Both studies are published in the journal Nature Genetics.
By Richard Alleyne
Telegraph UK