In a new study, Professor Murray Cairns and his Precision Medicine team from HMRI and the University of Newcastle have made a groundbreaking discovery.
Published in the internationally renowned cardiology journal, Circulation, their research offers a new way to predict individual responses to blood pressure treatments, specifically those aimed at reducing sodium levels in the body.
High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a major health concern worldwide. In Australia alone, about one in three adults suffer from this condition, yet only a third of these individuals manage to keep it under control.
Professor Cairns emphasizes the gravity of this health issue, noting that hypertension-related diseases can lead to the death of up to 20% of affected individuals.
Moreover, a 25% reduction in hypertension prevalence could save the Australian Government a staggering $34 billion annually.
The groundbreaking aspect of Professor Cairns’ research lies in its personalized approach to treatment. By analyzing an individual’s genetic makeup, the team can identify their specific risk of developing high blood pressure and tailor medications accordingly.
This precision medicine approach considers different physiological systems responsible for hypertension, such as the kidneys, heart, or smooth muscles.
Traditionally, many hypertension medications focus on lowering sodium levels in the body, which can subsequently reduce blood volume.
Professor Cairns points out that while a high-salt diet often triggers or exacerbates high blood pressure in many individuals with a genetic predisposition, not everyone’s hypertension is significantly influenced by salt intake.
For some, targeting other biological aspects related to their genetic risk may be more beneficial.
This research is particularly relevant given that 80% of the population may develop some form of chronic disease, with 20% likely to have two or more such conditions.
The application of genetic insights in precision medicine has the potential to revolutionize global health care.
The team’s research utilized real-world data from the UK Biobank, allowing them to measure the interaction between sodium-associated genetic scores, sodium levels, and blood pressure.
This approach underscores the importance of considering individual genetic differences in managing and treating hypertension.
This study marks a significant step towards more personalized and effective treatments for high blood pressure.
It opens the door to a future where medical treatments can be tailored to each person’s genetic profile, potentially improving treatment outcomes and reducing the global burden of hypertension.
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The research findings can be found in Circulation.
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