In one of the largest genetic association studies on heart failure to date, researchers from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, along with a global team, have made significant breakthroughs.
Analyzing genomic data from over 90,000 heart failure patients and more than a million controls, the team identified 39 genetic mutations associated with heart failure, 18 of which were previously unknown.
The findings, published in Nature Communications, could revolutionize how at-risk patients are identified and treated before the onset of heart failure.
Study Details
The study was conducted by building a cohort of genomes from two established research programs—the Million Veteran Program (MVP) and the Heart Failure Molecular Epidemiology for Therapeutic Targets (HERMES) consortium.
In total, the team analyzed 1,279,610 genome samples, with 90,653 belonging to heart failure patients.
“This large dataset allowed us to uncover 38 genetic mutants or variants that were associated with heart failure, 18 of which had not been previously identified,” said lead author Danielle Rasooly, Ph.D.
Key Findings
39 Genetic Markers: Researchers found 39 genetic mutations associated with heart failure, 18 of which were new.
Druggable Proteins: The study also identified seven proteins that could be targeted with specially designed medications to potentially prevent heart failure.
Methodology: The team used Mendelian randomization, a computational technique, to identify genetic signatures of proteins that could lead to lower risks of heart failure when altered.
Importance
Heart failure affects over 60 million people globally and 6 million in the United States alone, costing the healthcare system more than $30 billion annually.
Current survival rates post-diagnosis are only around 50%, necessitating better preventive strategies.
“The techniques we used in this study could significantly lower the failure rate in clinical trials,” Rasooly commented.
Future Implications
Personalized Medicine: The findings could lead to more personalized healthcare, with physicians being able to predict a patient’s risk of developing heart failure based on their unique genetic profile.
Drug Development: The seven proteins identified as potential drug targets could guide drugmakers in developing medications that minimize the risk of developing heart failure.
Veteran Health: Since heart failure is of particular concern for veterans, the findings have special significance for their healthcare.
Methodological Advancements: The success of this large-scale study emphasizes the importance of large sample sizes in genome-wide association studies (GWAS) for accurate and comprehensive results.
Conclusion
This groundbreaking study has not only identified key genetic markers associated with heart failure but also provided a roadmap for future preventive strategies, including drug development and personalized healthcare options.
If you care about heart health, please read studies about how eating eggs can help reduce heart disease risk, and Vitamin K2 could help reduce heart disease risk.
For more information about heart health, please see recent studies about how to remove plaques that cause heart attacks, and results showing a new way to prevent heart attacks, and strokes.
The study was published in Nature Communications.
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