Genetic Factors Play Key Role in Blood Pressure, Study Finds

⁤ Updated⁢ June 14, 2025
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A recent study spearheaded by Queen Mary University of ⁤London has shed new light on the genetic underpinnings of blood pressure.The research, supported by the National institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), pinpointed over 100 previously unknown regions in the human genome that influence blood pressure levels. This brings the total to over 2,000 independent genetic⁤ signals associated with blood pressure, underscoring it’s‍ complex, multi-faceted‍ nature.

The findings, published in Nature Genetics, represent one ⁤of ⁢the most extensive genomic investigations into blood pressure to date, analyzing data from over⁣ 1 ⁢million‍ people. This ‍work paves the way for a deeper understanding of blood pressure regulation and the development of more effective preventative measures.

Researchers combined data from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of blood pressure and hypertension, identifying ⁣over 2,000 genomic loci, including 113 new regions. The analysis also highlighted hundreds of previously ⁤unreported genes affecting blood pressure, possibly revealing new targets for drug development and advancing precision medicine for hypertension prevention.

The team calculated polygenic risk scores, which combine the effects of genetic variants⁣ to predict blood pressure and hypertension risk. Individuals⁤ with the highest genetic risk showed systolic blood pressure levels about 17 mmHg higher than those with⁢ the lowest risk, and ⁣a sevenfold increased risk of hypertension. These scores can differentiate patients based on their hypertension risk, revealing clinically meaningful blood pressure differences.

“We have now revealed a much larger proportion of the genetic contribution of blood pressure than was previously known,” said Helen Warren, senior lecturer in statistical genetics at queen Mary University of London.

Warren added that the polygenic risk scores data is being made publicly available to⁤ encourage further research and clinical applications.

“this large study builds on over 18 years of blood pressure GWAS research. Our results provide new resources for understanding biological mechanisms and importantly new polygenic risk scores for early identification and stratification of people⁣ at ⁣risk for cardiovascular diseases,” said Patricia Munroe,⁤ professor of molecular medicine at Queen Mary University of London.

While polygenic risk scores show promise in precision medicine, broader genomic data ⁢is needed for widespread use. Even though the study primarily used data from individuals of European ancestry,⁢ the risk scores⁣ were also applicable to people of African ancestry, a group frequently enough underrepresented in genetic studies. This finding was confirmed using data from the ‍NIH’s All of Us Research Program.

High blood pressure, or hypertension, affects an estimated 30% of adults in ⁢the United Kingdom. It often has ‍a genetic component, alongside environmental factors like diet, ⁤exercise, smoking, and stress. Consistently high blood pressure can damage the heart and blood vessels, increasing the risk of heart disease, kidney disease, and stroke.

The study incorporated data from the UK Biobank (450,000 participants), the international⁢ Consortium for Blood ⁢Pressure (300,000 participants), the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ Million Veteran Program (220,000 participants), and Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s BioVU (50,000 participants).

What’s next

Future research will focus on expanding the diversity of genomic data to improve the applicability ⁢of polygenic risk scores across different populations, ultimately enhancing early detection and prevention of hypertension and related cardiovascular diseases.