English 
Francais 
عربي 
Do genes play a role in heart attacks?
Could there be a gene associated with heart attacks?
A mixed team of French researchers from INSERM (the French Institute for Health and Medical Research) and the Pierre and Marie Curie University in Paris recently identified a new region of the human genome that appears to contain several genetic variations that could increase the risk of heart attack.
In fact, the hunt for a genetic link with heart attacks is nothing new. For two years, scientists in Europe have been trying to identify new factors associated with this risk. Indeed they were the first to demonstrate the role of a specific region located on chromosome 9.
However, in this new study, the researchers show that a number of variations located on chromosome 6, rather than chromosome 9, are associated with a significant increase in the risk of heart attack. To be precise, two of the genes identified code for molecules known as lipoproteins. These are known to be involved in the metabolism of cholesterol but their role in myocardial infarction had not been defined. Eventually, these results could lead to new research paths into the mechanisms linking cholesterol with the risk of heart attack.
Print this article
Share on Facebook
Share on Twitter
Send to a friend
Convert to pdf
Copyright Authorization
405 article(s)
Pregnant? Make sure you take care of your teeth!
Major stress in early pregnancy? You’re likely to have a girl!
United States – obesity figures level off
Viagra® – life through a blue-tinted haze…
Are you doing too much sport for your joints?
Lack of sleep can have long-term effects on health
Dieting – why do I put all the weight back on … and more?
1 feature(s)
