Genetics Of Coronary Artery Disease decoded by scientists

Scientists have moved a step closer to understanding how our genetic make-up can lead us to develop heart disease and to predicting who is most at risk. The research was jointly carried out by researchers at the University of Leicester and the University of Leeds, in collaboration with colleagues in Germany at the Universities of Lubeck and Regensburg.


The researchers found that changes in our DNA on chromosomes 2, 6, 10 and 15 and two on chromosome 1 were associated with increased risk of developing coronary artery disease and heart attacks. Genetic information is inherited from each parent and may include variants that influence the likelihood of developing disease.

The findings have been welcomed by Professor Jeremy Pearson, Associate Medical Director of the British Heart Foundation, which part-funded the study.