30/08/2010
'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
- 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.
- Read more about our research into the genetics of heart
conditions.
- Download or order our
booklet about some of our researchers latest
discoveries.