A Gene’s Big Role in Greenlanders’ Heart Health
Almost one-third of people in Greenland carry a special gene that puts them at a higher risk for heart problems and high cholesterol.
Researchers from the University of Copenhagen have been studying this gene, known as p.G137S, to understand how it affects the heart health of Greenlanders.
High Cholesterol: The Silent Threat
Cholesterol, specifically the “bad” LDL cholesterol, is closely tied to heart disease, the leading cause of death worldwide. Usually, the liver helps clear this bad cholesterol from our blood.
However, this gene makes the liver less effective at its job, causing more bad cholesterol to stay in the bloodstream. More bad cholesterol means a higher risk for heart diseases like blocked arteries and heart attacks.
How Bad Is It?
To understand the real impact of this gene, researchers studied over 5,000 people in Greenland. They found that 30% had at least one copy of the risky p.G137S gene.
Even scarier, about 25-55% of these folks had high levels of bad cholesterol, making them more likely to have heart issues, such as peripheral artery disease and blocked arteries leading to the heart.
Notably, this gene seemed to push cholesterol higher at all ages, hinting that early treatment might be beneficial for these individuals.
What’s Next?
With so many people in Greenland at risk because of this gene, scientists suggest that we could really help by testing for it early on.
If we know who carries this gene, we can take steps sooner to keep their heart healthy. This might mean medication or lifestyle changes that can control cholesterol levels and reduce heart disease risk.
“We need further studies to understand how medicines for lowering cholesterol can benefit people who carry this specific gene,” says Emil Jorsboe, one of the study’s lead authors.
This is especially important because so far, not many people with high cholesterol are getting the medication they need.
Understanding how a single gene can influence heart health in a significant portion of Greenland’s population emphasizes the need for customized healthcare.
It serves as a reminder that sometimes, what works as a broad health guideline doesn’t work for everyone.
With one-third of Greenlanders potentially at risk, identifying and treating this genetic factor is crucial for better heart health in this community.
If you care about heart disease, please read studies about Blood thinners may not prevent stroke in people with heartbeat problems and findings of Research shows a new cause of heart rhythm disorders.
For more information about health, please see recent studies about how the Mediterranean diet could protect your brain health, and wild blueberries can benefit your heart and brain.
The research findings can be found in Human Genetics and Genomics Advances.
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