High blood pressure is the biggest risk factor for heart attacks and strokes and a new study is revealing more about the genetic component of the condition.
An important new Western University study finds that genetics could help explain why some women are much more likely to experience hypertension.
Denise McIntyre was surprised to diagnosed with high blood pressure. "I had no symptoms," she says.
But there was a strong family history of heart problems.
"My dad's stroke and heart attacks over a span of 39 years old and 66 when he passed away. There's a fairly significant genetic history for us," says McIntyre.
It's for women like McIntyre, that research by Dr. Ross Feldman and his team is vital.
"We used to think this was a males only club for heart disease, we know now women, especially post-menopausal to be as likely to have heart disease."
The study identified a common gene variant in women that makes them more likely to have high blood pressure.
"In the general population, we're talking upwards of 30 to 40 per cent of women who will carry a second version of the GPR gene," says Feldman.
The key is how the G-protein estrogen receptor or GPER interacts with estrogen.
"What we found is that women who carry this 'second-rate' version of the receptor that doesn't work as well have higher blood pressure," adds Feldman.
The hope is, by better understanding the root causes of high blood pressure it will lead to improved treatments - in this case treatments that could be specifically tailored to women.
"It may be the future of genetic research for cardiovascular disease - maybe based on a greater appreciation of sex-specific effects," says Feldman.
Understanding the genetic predisposition to high blood pressure is an important piece of the puzzle, but not not a replacement for a heart-healthy lifestyle.
"I would hope for myself and my family that we work towards fighting that predisposition so that we can have good health for the rest of our lives," says McIntrye.
