Imagine a world where your medicine is tailored just for you, based on your DNA. That’s what Professor Murray Cairns and his team at HMRI and the University of Newcastle are working towards.
They’ve made an exciting breakthrough that could change how we treat high blood pressure, also known as hypertension.
High blood pressure is a big deal worldwide. In Australia, 1 in 3 adults struggles with it, but only a third of them have it under control.
It’s a serious condition that can lead to severe health issues, even death, for about 20% of those affected. Reducing hypertension by just 25% could save Australia’s government a whopping $34 billion a year.
What’s revolutionary about Professor Cairns’ work is its focus on the individual. By looking at a person’s genetic blueprint, his team can predict how well they’ll respond to blood pressure treatments, especially those that lower sodium in the body.
This personalized approach can identify the best medication for each person, considering their unique genetic risks and how their body might react to different treatments.
Most high blood pressure medicines work by reducing sodium levels in the body, which can help lower blood pressure. However, not everyone’s high blood pressure is caused by too much salt. For some, other genetic factors play a bigger role.
This research means that in the future, treatments could be more precisely targeted, potentially making them more effective.
The significance of this study extends beyond just high blood pressure. It touches on the broader potential of precision medicine – treatments designed specifically for an individual’s genetic makeup.
This could dramatically change how we treat not just hypertension but many chronic diseases, improving health outcomes for millions of people worldwide.
The research used data from the UK Biobank to explore how genetic factors related to sodium intake affect blood pressure. This method highlights the importance of considering our genetic differences when diagnosing and treating high blood pressure.
This breakthrough paves the way for a future where your medical treatment could be as unique as your DNA, making it possible to manage high blood pressure more effectively and reduce the risk of related health issues.
It’s an exciting step forward in the journey towards more personalized healthcare.
The findings from this study are detailed in the cardiology journal Circulation, offering a glimpse into the future of treating and managing high blood pressure.
If you care about high blood pressure, please read studies that early time-restricted eating could help improve blood pressure, and natural coconut sugar could help reduce blood pressure and artery stiffness.
For more information about blood pressure, please see recent studies about added sugar in your diet linked to higher blood pressure, and results showing vitamin D could improve blood pressure in people with diabetes.
Copyright © 2024 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
