Tuesday 31 Aug 2010 @ 08:09
Third Sector
Third Sector
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'Y' men get heart disease - genetic clues revealed
Researchers have uncovered a genetic explanation for why men tend to get heart disease earlier than women.
The Y chromosome, carried only by men, seems to carry genes that can increase men's risk.
The findings come from a team led by BHF Professor Nilesh Samani. They're based on data from the Family Heart Study, which was launched by the BHF and the Medical Research Council a decade ago.
Professor Peter Weissberg, Medical Director at the BHF, said: "These interesting findings are based on DNA collected in our Family Heart Study some years ago. They show that the Y chromosome, which only men have, carries genetic variations that increase the risk of heart disease.
"It provides genetic confirmation of what we already knew, that men are at increased risk of heart disease compared with women.
"Because the gene variant identified occurs predominantly in men of northern European descent, it may provide clues as to why men from northern Europe are more prone to heart disease than their southern counterparts."
More information
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The research was announced at the European Society of Cardiology Congress 2010 in Stockholm, where top international heart doctors and scientists gather to share their latest findings.
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Read more about our research into the genetics of heart conditions
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Download or order our booklet about some of our researchers latest discoveries
