What's Happening?
A recent study conducted within the Japan Multi-Institutional Collaborative Cohort (J-MICC) has highlighted the joint impact of blood pressure (BP) control and polygenic risk score (PRS) on cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality. The research involved
approximately 35,000 Japanese individuals, with data collected from 2005 to 2014 and follow-up until the end of 2020. The study aimed to explore the combined effects of BP and BP PRS on CVD mortality, particularly in non-European populations. Participants were divided into subgroups, and PRS for systolic and diastolic blood pressure was developed. The findings revealed that elevated systolic and diastolic BP significantly increased the risk of CVD mortality. Moreover, individuals in the highest PRS tertile faced a higher risk of CVD mortality even if their BP was not elevated, underscoring the importance of considering genetic risk factors alongside traditional BP measurements.
Why It's Important?
This study is significant as it underscores the potential of integrating genetic risk assessments with traditional BP measurements to better predict cardiovascular risks. The findings suggest that individuals with high polygenic risk scores may be at increased risk of CVD mortality, even if their BP levels are not elevated. This could lead to more personalized healthcare strategies, where genetic information is used to identify individuals at higher risk and tailor preventive measures accordingly. The research highlights the need for healthcare systems to consider genetic factors in cardiovascular risk assessments, which could improve early detection and intervention strategies, ultimately reducing the burden of cardiovascular diseases.
What's Next?
The study's findings may prompt further research into the integration of polygenic risk scores in clinical practice, particularly in diverse populations. Healthcare providers might consider incorporating genetic testing into routine cardiovascular risk assessments to identify high-risk individuals more accurately. Additionally, public health policies could evolve to include genetic screening as part of preventive healthcare measures. Future studies could explore the applicability of these findings in other populations and investigate the cost-effectiveness of implementing genetic risk assessments in clinical settings.
