October 22, 2010

expert reaction to research in The Lancet on genetics of heart disease

The research suggested the possibility of using genetic markers to identify individuals at increased risk of developing heart disease.

Dr Mike Knapton, associate medical director at the British Heart Foundation, said:

“This interesting study demonstrates that it’s possible to identify some individuals who are at increased risk of coronary heart disease based on their genetic makeup.

“This is an important step in understanding how our genes affect our propensity for coronary heart disease, which remains the most common cause of death in the UK.

“However, this study alone will not change the way I practise as a GP. For now, the best way of assessing someone remains checking lifestyle factors, such as diet and whether they smoke.

“It remains to be seen whether further research can reveal how we can test people for their genetic cardiovascular risk.”

A multilocus genetic risk score for coronary heart disease: case-control and prospective cohort analyses, Ripatti et al., published in The Lancet, Friday 22 October 2010.